New Vaccine Shows Promise Against Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting KRAS Mutations

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, but a new vaccine could change the outlook. In a recent Phase 1 clinical trial, researchers tested ELI-002, a vaccine designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack KRAS mutations, which drive more than 90% of pancreatic cancers.

How ELI-002 Works

Unlike personalized mRNA vaccines, ELI-002 is not tailored for each patient, making it potentially easier to use widely. The vaccine stimulates T cells that specifically target KRAS proteins on the surface of cancer cells, including cells that may remain after surgery or chemotherapy.

Promising Early Results

In the trial:

• 21 of 25 patients developed KRAS-specific immune responses
• Relapse-free survival extended to ~15 months
• Overall survival reached nearly 29 months
  

These results are better than typical outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. Patients with colorectal cancer also showed encouraging responses.

Bottom Line

This research suggests that vaccines targeting cancer-specific mutations like KRAS may become an important tool in pancreatic cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients with this aggressive disease.

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