Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial [View all]

[applegrove]

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/pancreatic-cancer-mrna-vaccine-shows-lasting-results-early-trial-rcna331969

Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.

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Less than 13% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live for more than five years, making it one of the deadliest cancers. There is no routine screening for pancreatic cancer, such as colonoscopy or mammogram, and symptoms typically don’t show up until the disease is advanced. Once detected, there are few options for treatment. Only about 20% of cases are operable, which is currently required for someone to be eligible to join a pancreatic cancer vaccine trial.

The vaccines work as a type of so-called immunotherapy, harnessing a person’s immune system to fight cancer cells. The goal is not to eliminate existing tumors, but instead to stamp out lingering, undetected cancer cells, and later any new cells that form before they can cause a recurrence.

Patients still have surgery to remove tumors. After that, the mRNA vaccines are personalized for each individual using genetic material taken from their unique tumor cells. In the clinical trial, after getting the vaccine, the patients also received chemotherapy, which is standard post-op treatment for operable pancreatic cancer.

Applegrove: the right wing would have known these results when they cancelled mRNA vaccine research last year. They obviously don't want people alive on Medicare and collecting Social Security.