After a patient undergoes surgery, scientists analyze the unique mutations in that individual’s tumor. The patient’s immune system learns to detect those specific cancer mutations and create a lasting immune response that can prevent the cancer from coming back.
“The idea is to reprogram the tumor microenvironment,” Dr. Nair says. “The vaccine sensitizes the patient’s T cells to the specific KRAS mutation that is present in their pancreatic cancer. This allows the body to mount an immune response against the cancer.”
“Early clinical trials have shown remarkably promising results,” says Maged Khalil, MD, Associate Director of Research with the Cancer Institute. “Many patients developed robust immune responses, and some have remained cancer-free well beyond the expected time frame for recurrence.”