Neeha Zaidi Team Shows 1st KRAS Vaccine Feasibility in High-Risk Pancreatic Cancer Cohorts
Updated
Updated · Oncodaily · Jul 17
Neeha Zaidi Team Shows 1st KRAS Vaccine Feasibility in High-Risk Pancreatic Cancer Cohorts
1 articles · Updated · Oncodaily · Jul 17
Summary
First-in-human testing found a mutant KRAS-targeted vaccine was feasible in people at high risk of pancreatic cancer, shifting the approach from treating established disease to trying to intercept it earlier.
About 2 years after vaccination, the study still detected persistent T cells, providing early evidence that the immune response can endure in these high-risk cohorts.
The work, led by Neeha Zaidi with S. Daniel Haldar and Elizabeth Jaffee among the authors, was highlighted by Perlmutter Cancer Center director Anirban Maitra as the first study to show this strategy is workable.
The result points to a preventive immunotherapy path for pancreatic cancer, where KRAS mutations are a major target and early intervention remains a critical unmet need.
Beyond immune response, when will we know if this vaccine truly prevents pancreatic cancer?
mRNA vs. other platforms: which vaccine technology will win the race against the deadliest cancers?
Breakthrough in Pancreatic Cancer Prevention: mKRAS-VAX Vaccine Demonstrates Durable Immunity in First Human Trial
Overview
Initial results from a first-in-human Phase 1 trial of the mKRAS-VAX vaccine, published on July 16, 2026, show that the vaccine can trigger strong and lasting immune responses in people at high risk for pancreatic cancer. This means the vaccine may help the immune system recognize and attack cells with mutant KRAS before cancer develops. Experts see this as a promising new way to prevent pancreatic cancer, shifting the focus from treating advanced disease to stopping it before it starts. These findings mark an important step toward proactive cancer prevention.