A promising vaccine aimed at tackling some of the deadliest cancers in women, particularly breast cancer, is making strides. Researchers anticipate that Phase 1 of clinical trials could conclude by 2030, with an impressive more than 75% of participants showing a robust immune response, indicated by antibody presence in their white blood cells.
This innovative vaccine is designed for both the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, which affects about one in eight women.
“It’s very exciting,” shared Dr. Amit Kumar, the CEO of Anixa Biosciences, who is collaborating with the Cleveland Clinic to design this vaccine.
During the initial phase of the trial, 35 women, primarily those diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—the most lethal variant—received the vaccine. This particular type of cancer gained notable attention when actress Angelina Jolie opted for a double mastectomy at 37 due to a genetic mutation associated with it.
The participants regularly provided blood samples to monitor the immune response, specifically the antibody production in T and B cells against the vaccine’s target, a molecule known as albumin.
Interestingly, the only side effect reported was mild discomfort at the injection site.
“This is a very new mechanism and if this works and can prevent cancer, I think we can probably eliminate breast cancer as a disease, just like we did with polio and other infectious diseases,” Kumar remarked.
Phase 2 tests, expected to commence next year, will involve larger groups and will explore other breast cancer types as well.
“Cancer vaccines are extremely difficult to develop,” he added cautiously. “A true cancer vaccine has never been successfully created.”
What sets this vaccine apart is its focus on cancer cells, which arise from the body’s own cells, making it challenging for the immune system to recognize them as foreign. “Cancer cells come from your healthy cells… so the immune system doesn’t easily identify them as harmful,” Kumar explained.
Previous studies have indicated that antibody levels can be high in cancer cells, which has sometimes led to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy organs displaying similar proteins.
However, the breast cancer protein is generally absent in healthy women outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding, leading scientists at the Cleveland Clinic to formulate a vaccine targeting women who were vaccinated with alphalactalbumin in 2018 and had no future childbirth plans.
This groundbreaking study has received backing from the US Department of Defense, and Kumar expresses hope that the ongoing federal funding cuts won’t hinder progress.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” he admitted, reflecting on the challenges ahead.
Researchers are set to present their findings to the White House later this year.
