A new breast cancer vaccine has successfully passed the first phase I trials. The investigational drug that generates a stronger immune response proved safe in 66 patients.
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The results of this research were published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). It concerns a long-term study that began 20 years ago and that it was conducted by a team from the University of Washington, led by scientist Nora Disis.
Each patient received a plasmid DNA vaccine and was followed for 10 years by researchers. The purpose of this vaccine is increase the immune system’s response to cancer.
Between 20% and 30% of breast cancer cases are related an abnormal production of the HER2 protein. According to To explain According to the US National Cancer Institute, this protein participates in normal cell development.
Unfortunately, several types of cancer, such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer, are linked to this protein. According to the organization, it’s possible that the HER2 protein “makes cancer cells multiply faster and spread to other parts of the body.”
For this reason, it has become extremely important for researchers to search specific treatments for this type of cancer.
The vaccine created by scientists at the University of Washington is not preventive. On the contrary, it is a therapeutic vaccinedesigned to trigger the body’s immune response.
The study involved 66 patients aged between 34 and 77 years. Although the experiment was only intended to test the safety of the vaccine, This has demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness.
The vaccine helps the immune system generate a large number of T cells. These lymphocytes are characterized by attacking infected cells with great precision.
“The results showed that 100 μg of ERBB2 ICD plasmid DNA was associated with the generation of immunity in most patients, which persisted after the end of vaccinations; long-lasting immunity was negatively associated with DNA retention at the injection site.
The researchers are currently developing a new round of Phase II clinical trials.
