A new study published in the journal Nature has found that a personalized mRNA vaccine may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer returning after surgery. The vaccine, which targets specific immune cells, showed promising results in a small trial of 16 patients, with half experiencing a strong immune response and remaining cancer-free for over three years.
The most aggressive form of cancer, pancreatic cancer has a typical survival rate of just one year after diagnosis. However, the vaccine produced long-lasting T cells that may keep fighting cancer for years, even without visible tumor shrinkage.
Lead investigator Dr. Vinod P. Balachandran hailed the findings as significant, particularly given the challenges in developing an effective immune response to pancreatic cancer. A larger trial is now underway to confirm the results, which could lead to new ways of treating or preventing this aggressive form of cancer.
If successful, this approach could also provide insights into developing vaccines for other cancers and potentially even primary prevention methods.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/personal-vaccine-reduce-risk-pancreatic-cancer-returning-after/story?id=118979678