Experimental Vaccine Shows Promise in Preventing Pancreatic Cancer for High-Risk Individuals

An experimental vaccine targeting the KRAS gene mutation induced immune responses in 90% of high-risk participants and was safe, according to a phase 1 trial published in Cancer Discovery. Source: El Nacional, Infobae

The vaccine

The vaccine, mKRAS-VAX, is a peptide-based shot designed to train the immune system to recognize and destroy cells carrying the six most common KRAS mutations, which drive more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. Source: El Confidencial Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center enrolled 20 individuals with hereditary predisposition and detectable pancreatic abnormalities.

Results

• Immune response: 18 of 20 participants (90%) developed significant T-cell responses, with a median 18.2-fold increase in KRAS-specific T cells. Source: El Mundo
• Durability: Memory T cells persisted for up to two years. Source: Infobae
• Safety: No severe adverse events; only mild-to-moderate reactions like fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Source: El Nacional
• Observations: During a median 16.5-month follow-up, no one developed pancreatic cancer or high-risk lesions requiring surgery. Some cysts shrank or resolved. Source: Infobae