Breakthrough Cancer Vaccine Shows 88% Efficacy in Mouse Trials
Amherst, MA – Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have announced a significant advancement in cancer prevention: an experimental nanoparticle vaccine demonstrated the ability to prevent tumor formation in up to 88% of mice tested, across multiple aggressive cancer types. The findings, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, offer a promising new avenue for preventative cancer treatment and immunotherapy.
The vaccine utilizes a novel approach, activating the immune system through multiple pathways in combination with cancer-specific antigens. “By activating the immune system via multiple pathways and combining this action with cancer-specific antigens, we can prevent tumor growth with remarkable survival rates,” explained Prabhani Atukorale, assistant professor of biomedical engineering.
Initial trials focused on melanoma, utilizing a vaccine combining nanoparticles with known melanoma peptides. Remarkably, 80% of vaccinated mice remained tumor-free, while all mice in the control group succumbed to the disease within just over a month. The vaccine doesn’t just prevent initial tumor growth; it also establishes a lasting “immune memory,” a key benefit of immunotherapy. “The immune system remembers the threat throughout the body,” Atukorale stated.
To streamline vaccine production, the team also tested a version incorporating inactivated tumor cells, known as “tumor lysate.” This approach yielded equally encouraging results: 88% protection against pancreatic cancer, 75% against triple-negative breast cancer, and 69% against melanoma. Crucially, the mice that remained healthy also showed resistance to metastasis.
Researchers believe the technology is adaptable to a wide range of cancers,perhaps serving as both a preventative measure for high-risk individuals and a complementary therapy alongside existing treatments. To accelerate growth, the team has founded NanoVax Therapeutics, a start-up dedicated to translating the research into clinical applications.
“The goal is to transform this approach into concrete treatment and improve patients’ lives,” saeid Griffin Kane, co-lead author of the study. While human trials are still years away, these pre-clinical results represent a significant step towards a future where vaccination could be used to combat cancer itself.
