A new study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center shows good results for patients with pancreatic cancer. They used a personalized mRNA vaccine, which offers new hope. This pancreatic cancer vaccine shows how important personalized medicine is in combating this aggressive disease.
How the study worked
The study involved 16 patients with early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) diagnosis. Patients received a special mRNA vaccine made from their own tumors. This was in addition to regular cancer treatments like surgery and chemotherapy.
This vaccine aims to boost the patient’s immune system to target and destroy pancreatic cancer cells. The mRNA vaccine targeted specific genetic changes in pancreatic cancer cells. It helps the immune system recognize and fight the cancer.
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During surgery, BioNTech received tumor samples for personalized vaccine development. Patients subsequently received their tailored vaccine, alongside chemo and an immunotherapy drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
The body’s immune response
Dr. Vinod Balachandran, a surgical oncologist, explained the challenge of training the body’s immune system to recognize cancer since the immune system usually avoids attacking the body itself. Of the 16 patients, eight demonstrated a strong immune response, responding to the vaccine. Notably, six of these eight patients achieved recurrence-free survival for over three years, as reported in the journal Nature.
Alternatively, seven of the eight non-responders experienced cancer recurrence. The spleen’s presence during surgery looks to be important for how well the vaccine worked. It has a key role in immune function.
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Dr. Balachandran warned not to blame the vaccine alone because of the small sample size. However, Dr. Suneel Kamath from Cleveland Clinic recognized the study as a valuable “proof-of-concept.” He emphasized that the vaccine successfully generated a strong immune cell response, providing a solid foundation for future research.
“The beauty of mRNA vaccines, as we saw with COVID development, is they’re very fast to make. It’s easy to generate. Once you’ve found a new target, it’s very quick to make a vaccine for that particular target,” Kamath said.
Future directions and broader use
A larger clinical trial is now in progress focusing on early-stage pancreatic cancer patients with healthy spleens. This trial will further investigate the efficacy of the vaccine.
Dr. Kamath pointed out the quick development of mRNA vaccines seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. These vaccines can adapt quickly to new cancer targets. The study showed that the vaccine’s efficiency depends on vaccine-induced t-cells and their ability to attack the cancer.
Further studies will explore the optimal vaccination dose and schedule. Researchers are studying mRNA cancer vaccines for other types of cancer. This includes melanoma, kidney, and lung cancers. These cancers have higher mutation rates, which may lead to stronger responses.
Potential Benefits for Black Patients
This advancement in personalized cancer treatment holds significant potential for Black patients, who often face disparities in cancer outcomes. Pancreatic cancer, in particular, affects Black individuals at a much higher rate compared to other populations. Personalized mRNA vaccines, tailored to individual tumor characteristics, could help address some biological factors contributing to these disparities.
- Addressing Genetic Variations: Black patients can have unique genetic variations within their tumors that influence treatment response. Personalized vaccines can target these specific variations, potentially leading to more effective therapies.
- Improving Access to Targeted Therapies: Personalized medicine can help people get better treatments. It offers solutions that are not based on general averages for large groups. This is especially important for communities that have historically faced barriers to healthcare.
- Enhancing Clinical Trial Participation: Increased awareness of personalized cancer treatments may encourage greater participation of Black patients in clinical trials. This is vital for ensuring that research findings apply to diverse populations and that treatment strategies are equitable.
- Combating Health Disparities: This type of vaccine can provide better treatment. It may help lower the death rate of pancreatic cancer in the black community.
- Promoting Equitable Outcomes: By focusing on individual tumor biology, personalized medicine can help overcome disparities related to social and economic factors and access to care, ultimately promoting more equitable cancer outcomes.
More information
SOURCE: CBS News, media report, Feb. 19, 2025
