Pancreatic cancer: a new vaccine would protect against the disease

In France, in 2018, the number of new cases of pancreatic cancer was 7301 in men and 6883 in women. This silent disease, which continues to grow over the years, could become the second cause of cancer death in the years 2030-2040. To eradicate it, American researchers are currently testing a new vaccine, which would annihilate the development of the disease.

Pancreatic cancer: a vaccine in the form of immunotherapy

According to experts, over 90% of pancreatic cancer cases occur after cells in the organ develop a mutation in a particular gene called KRAS. This mutation leads to uncontrolled cell division, which eventually leads to cancer.

This new vaccine, developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, would encourage immune cells to kill pancreatic cancer cells, instead of “tolerating” them.

More specifically, the injection would encourage the immune system to recognize cells containing the KRAS gene, responsible for abnormal cell multiplication.

25 volunteers will receive the vaccine

A first trial is underway on a woman with a family history. Nevertheless, the scientists wish to involve 25 healthy volunteers at high risk of pancreatic cancer (genetic background) in the trial.

As well as exploring the safety profile of the vaccine, the trial will also assess the “immune response” it triggers. The team will specifically look for “T cells, capable of recognizing KRAS-infected cells“.

It will however be necessary to be patient before the arrival on the market of this injection, the development of which can take up to ten years. “This is the first step towards a very big goal“, underlined oncologist Dr Neeha Zaidi, who leads the trial.

In the early stages of the disease, the cancer grows silently – that is, without causing symptoms.

Then, when the tumor grows, loss of appetite, weight loss and severe fatigue may occur. Jaundice of the eyes and skin may also appear. It is due to compression by the tumor of the common bile duct which normally evacuates bile from the liver to the intestine.

The tumor can also cause severe stomach pain that may spread to the ribs or back.

Other, less common symptoms may also appear: flare-up of pancreatitis, phlebitis, vomiting, fatty stools (steatorrhea), difficulty digesting, diarrhoea… The presence of these symptoms varies depending on the exact location of the tumour.

To detect this cancer, medical imaging techniques are used: scanner, MRI or echo-endoscopy.

Slide: 10 warning signs of pancreatic cancer