An experimental vaccine called eli-002 2p has demonstrated encouraging results in the treatment of pancreatic and colorectal cancer with mutations in the KRAS gene, according to a phase 1 clinical trial led by the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) and developed by Elicio Therapeutics, a biotechnological company with headquarters in Boston.
Kras mutations are involved between 20% and 25% of tumors, including 50% of colorectal cancer cases and 93% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Although conventional treatments seek healing, relapses are frequent, especially in patients with dry pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Posted in Nature MedicineThe study reveals that Eli-002 2p, designed to attack the G12D and G12R mutations in Kras through lymph nodes, can activate a robust and sustained immune response, helping to prevent or delay the reappearance of cancer. 25 patients participated (20 with pancreatic cancer and 5 with colon cancer), all with mild residual disease after surgery.
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Experimental vaccine achieves immune response in aggressive cancers
After an average follow -up of 8.5 months, it was observed that 84% of patients (25 of 25) developed specific T cell responses against KRAS. At 19.7 months, 71% showed activation of CD4+ and CD8+ subset, with persistent immunogenicity. In those with more intense immune responses, the median relapse free survival was not achieved, indicating that many were still free of cancer.
In addition, 67% of participants generated immune responses against other tumor mutations, which suggests a potential broader antitumor effect. The study concludes that eli-002 2p can induce a powerful and prolonged immunity that contributes to delay tumor recurrence.
“Attacking Kras has long been considered one of the most difficult challenges in cancer therapy,” said Zev Wainberg, a professor of Medicine at UCLA and main author of the study. According to Wainberg, this approach shows that the vaccine can train the immune system safely and effectively to recognize and combat mutations that cause cancer.
Given the positive impact observed, researchers plan to move towards a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of eli-002 2p in a broader and diverse sample of patients.
With agency information.
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