Breast Cancer Vaccine Nears Trials

The American Cancer Society (ACS) says breast cancer is the second highest cause of cancer-related death, trailing only lung cancer. While survival probability has greatly increased, around 40,000 women died from the disease last year, according to the ACS.

It should be noted that the vaccine does not seem targeted to prevent cancer in the first place, but rather, at least at this point in time, to prevent a recurrence and to supplement conventional radiation and chemotherapy.

Thomas Kieber-Emmons, director of basic breast cancer research at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, said the vaccine was developed over a decade of study on the immune system.

The breast cancer vaccine trials will be done in phases.

Phase One: four to six months, involving women with cancer that is actively spreading and women whose cancer has come back after going into remission. The women will receive five doses of the vaccine.

Phase Two: about a year, including women who have had breast cancer but are in remission and considered at high risk of getting it again. The women will be required to be off chemotherapy for at least six months.

Also see Dr. Bates' commentary on the breast cancer vaccine news that is nearing to trial, published on today's eMaxHealth.