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The first results are promising therapeutic vaccine against the risk of relapse in pancreatic cancer. Obtained in a phase I clinical trial conducted by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), in the USA, the vaccine is RNA (based on messenger RNA like anti-Covid vaccines) and shows the potential to stimulate a immune response which could reduce the risk of disease recurrence after surgery. The results show that an immune response induced by the vaccine is associated with a reduction in the risk of reappearance of the cancer.
The data were presented by Vinod Balachandran at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), which is being held in San Diego through April 10.
The experimental messenger RNA-based cancer vaccine, called autogene cevumeran (BNT122, RO7198457), was developed in collaboration between BioNTech, an immunotherapy company, and Genentech, of the Roche Group.
How the vaccine works
In the phase 1 clinical trial, the vaccines were personalized for each participant based on the genetic profile of their tumor. The underlying idea is that the vaccine trains T lymphocytes – specialized immune cells that protect the body from pathogens and cancer – to recognize proteins found exclusively in tumor cells, called neoantigens. The goal of this approach is to train the body to protect itself from cancer cells.
Promising results
“Current treatment options for pancreatic cancer remain very limited, and only about 12 percent of patients survive five years after diagnosis.” explained Balachandran. ,We are encouraged by our latest findings, which continue to support the exploration of the vaccine as an approach to treating pancreatic cancer in the post-surgical setting.”
A Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT05968326), sponsored by Genentech in collaboration with BioNTech, is currently underway and will evaluate the efficacy and safety of autogenic adjuvant cevumeran compared to the current standard chemotherapy regimen (mFOLFIRINOX). The goal of this approach is to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer returning after the tumor is removed by surgery. The study is enrolling approximately 260 patients globally.
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