Source: Fox News
Summary
A new vaccine for pancreatic cancer prevention has shown promise in an early study at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The experimental vaccine, mKRAS-VAX, was tested in 20 people with an inherited risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The vaccine targeted six common mutations of the KRAS gene, which drives over 90% of PDACs. The study found that the vaccine triggered a mutant KRAS-targeted immune response in 18 of the 20 participants, with an average 18-fold increase in immune activity. The vaccine appeared to be safe, with only minor side effects. After 16.5 months of follow-up, no participants had developed pancreatic cancer, and 37.5% of vaccinated participants experienced shrinkage or disappearance of pancreatic cysts.
Our Reading
The advice sounds familiar.
The vaccine’s long-lasting response is particularly noteworthy when assessing for possible interception of cancer, which requires long-lasting immunity. The study’s findings highlight the need for more funding to support developing strategies for preventing cancer in high-risk individuals. The researchers noted that larger studies are needed to demonstrate the vaccine’s effectiveness. The study’s results represent the first proof of concept for the use of vaccines for interception of pancreatic cancer in human patients.
Prevention and interception save lives and reduce the morbidity associated with cancer development and progression.
Author: Evan Null
