Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Prevention: A Vaccination Hope for TNBC
A new approach in cancer prevention shows promise against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a form known for its aggressiveness and limited treatment options. Researchers from a collaboration between Anixa Biosciences and the Cleveland Clinic are developing a vaccine intended to prevent TNBC from developing further. This marks a notable shift toward proactive immune defense against cancer.
Unlike vaccines for infectious diseases, this vaccine targets alpha-lactalbumin, a protein that can reappear in TNBC tumors after lactation ends. The aim is to train the immune system to recognize alpha-lactalbumin as a threat, potentially stopping tumor growth at its earliest stage. Early clinical results are encouraging: in a preliminary study, sixteen women completed a three-dose regimen over six weeks, with heightened T-cell activity observed by day 56. Importantly, participants reported no severe side effects, suggesting the vaccine is both promising and tolerable.