In the search for a cure for breast cancer, a major breakthrough has finally come. Biotechnology company Anixa Biosciences, Inc. announced earlier this month that its breast cancer vaccine, which is being developed in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic, has completed phase 1 of clinical testing.
With promising early results, the vaccine is moving forward to the next stages of development. If successful, it could enable doctors to prevent cancerous tumours from forming in the first place. “The vaccine is designed to mobilise the patient’s immune system to find, recognise, and destroy breast cancer cells for primary prevention,” Amit Kumar, Ph.D, CEO of Anixa Biosciences, Inc. told Vogue India. “If a patient is vaccinated and [their] immune system is trained to destroy the cancer cells when the cancer appears, the vaccinated immune system will destroy the cells before they can grow into a cell tumour.”
Administered in a series of three shots two weeks apart, the vaccine targets alpha-lactalbumin, a milk protein usually only produced during lactation but found in roughly 70 per cent of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases. While research in mice has shown encouraging results, the next phase of human trials will need to confirm safety and effectiveness on a larger scale.
What exactly is this breast cancer vaccine?
Dr Radheshyam Naik, oncologist and founder, Samprada Hospital, tells indianexpress.com, “The breast cancer vaccine currently in development is a form of immunotherapy that aims to proactively prevent the occurrence of certain aggressive types of breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer. Unlike traditional vaccines that target infectious agents, this vaccine is designed to train the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cells that express specific tumour-associated proteins.”
Concurring, Dr Prashant Mehta, MD, DM, program head, Department of Hematology/Medical oncology and BMT at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, explains, that researchers “conducted a study involving 35 women in an early phase one clinical trial” to explore a promising approach to cancer prevention. One of the major challenges with cancer is its ability to evade the immune system, a process known as immune evasion. This experimental vaccine aims to train the immune system to recognise and respond to cancer before it develops. It targets specific antigens that are typically expressed by cells when they become cancerous, often referred to as “retired” antigens that are normally active only during late pregnancy. “While the research is still in the preclinical phase and it’s too early to say whether this approach will ultimately work in humans, the findings are promising,” he states.
Dr Amit Upadhyay, senior consultant, Oncology & Hemato-oncology at PSRI hospital, tells indianexpress.com, “The vaccine is still in the early phases of clinical testing, but it is being developed with a solid scientific foundation and holds promise. It is considered credible because it is undergoing rigorous clinical trials and has been supported by respected institutions like the Cleveland Clinic.”
Why is the vaccine specifically targeting the milk protein alpha-lactalbumin?
Alpha-lactalbumin is a milk protein normally found in the breast during lactation but is not typically expressed otherwise, notes Dr Naik, adding, “However, research has shown that this protein is abnormally expressed in the majority of triple-negative breast cancer cases, which are among the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of breast cancer. This makes it a promising and relatively safe target for vaccine-based intervention.”
Story continues below this ad
Because alpha-lactalbumin is not found in most normal adult tissues except during lactation, targeting it reduces the risk of the immune system attacking healthy cells. “This targeted approach is especially crucial in triple-negative breast cancer, where treatment options are limited due to the absence of hormone receptors and HER2 protein, which are commonly targeted in other breast cancer subtypes,” states the oncologist.
Challenges that need to be addressed in the next phases of clinical trials before this vaccine can become widely available
According to Dr Upadhyay, the biggest challenges include demonstrating long-term safety and efficacy in larger, diverse patient populations. Researchers need to confirm that the vaccine doesn’t provoke harmful autoimmune responses, especially in women who may wish to breastfeed in the future. “Additionally, the vaccine must prove its effectiveness in actually reducing cancer risk or recurrence. Regulatory approvals, manufacturing scalability, cost, and public trust are also important hurdles. Only after successful Phase II and III trials can the vaccine be considered for broader use.”
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
