An experimental cancer vaccine has shown remarkable promise in preventing pancreatic and colorectal tumors from returning after surgery, offering new hope for patients with some of the deadliest cancers. In a phase 1 clinical trial involving 25 patients, researchers found that the vaccine triggered strong immune responses, with many participants remaining cancer-free nearly two years later. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, are being hailed as a potential game-changer in cancer treatment.
High Recurrence Challenge
More than 80% of pancreatic cancer patients see their disease return after surgery, with most recurrences occurring within the first year. For colorectal cancer, recurrence rates stand at 30–50%, often within two years. These statistics underscore the urgent need for treatments that can prevent relapse.
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Vaccine Targets KRAS Mutations
The experimental vaccine, ELI-002 2P, specifically targets KRAS mutations, which drive more than 90% of pancreatic cancers and half of colorectal cancers. Patients received a series of injections designed to stimulate immune cells in the lymph nodes, training the body to fight residual cancer cells.
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Promising Clinical Outcomes
In the trial, 21 of 25 patients developed KRAS-specific T cells, signaling strong immune activation. Patients with higher T-cell responses experienced significantly longer relapse-free survival. For six patients, three with pancreatic and three with colorectal cancer, the vaccine appeared to eliminate all detectable signs of disease.
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Strong Patient Survival Rates
Among participants who mounted the strongest immune response, most remained cancer-free nearly 20 months after vaccination. “We observed that patients who developed strong immune responses to the vaccine remained disease-free and survived for much longer than expected,” said Dr. Zev Wainberg, lead author and professor of medicine at UCLA.
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Wider Immune Activation
Beyond targeting KRAS mutations, 67% of trial participants also showed immune responses against other tumor-related mutations. This suggests the vaccine could help generate broader anti-tumor protection. Researchers emphasized its potential as a scalable treatment since ELI-002 2P is an “off-the-shelf” product that doesn’t need to be customized for individual patients.
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Expert Reactions
“This is an exciting advance for patients with KRAS-driven cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer, where recurrence after standard treatment is almost a given and effective therapies are limited,” Wainberg said. Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, noted that such targeted therapies could reshape cancer care: “Solid tumors, especially pancreatic, can be difficult to treat… targeted vaccines like this are very promising.”
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Next Phase Underway
Researchers have already completed enrollment for a larger phase 2 trial to test the next-generation version, ELI-002 7P, which will address a wider set of KRAS mutations. The study was sponsored by Elicio Therapeutics in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.