Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a novel vaccine strategy that could enhance treatment outcomes for a specific type of breast cancer. The approach targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive, estrogen receptor-negative (HER2-positive, ER-negative) breast cancer and has shown promising results in a recent pilot study. Published in npj Breast Cancer, the study combined HER2-targeting dendritic cell vaccines with standard chemotherapy, demonstrating both safety and positive response rates.
The study involved 30 patients with stage 2 and stage 3 HER2-positive, ER-negative breast cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy before surgery to reduce tumor size. Researchers administered the HER2-directed dendritic cell vaccine before chemotherapy to assess its impact on immune response and treatment outcomes. The results revealed significant immune activity in patients who received the vaccine, with complete tumor disappearance observed in a notable percentage of cases.
“Our findings suggest that the dendritic cell vaccine can boost the body’s immune response against tumors, potentially improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy,” said Dr. Hatem Soliman, a medical oncologist in the Breast Oncology Department at Moffitt and the study’s lead author. “This approach may offer a new way to enhance breast cancer treatment and patient outcomes.”
The study also found that injecting the vaccine directly into the tumor led to increased immune cell activity within the tumor environment. This discovery could help refine future immunotherapy strategies for breast cancer and other types of cancer.
“These findings highlight the potential of immunotherapy to transform how we treat HER2-positive breast cancer,” said Dr. Brian Czerniecki, co-author and chair of the Breast Oncology Department at Moffitt. “By stimulating the immune system, we may be able to create more effective, long-lasting responses for patients.”
The research underscores the potential of combining immunotherapy with traditional treatments to improve outcomes for breast cancer patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the broader applications of this vaccine strategy.
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