STEMVAC vaccine enters Phase II clinical trials for triple-negative breast cancer

The Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) has launched a Phase II clinical trial for STEMVAC, an investigational cancer vaccine designed to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study, funded by the Kuni Foundation and led by Dr. Brie Chun, evaluates the vaccine in combination with chemotherapy, specifically targeting patients whose tumors are PD-L1-negative.

STEMVAC aims to train the immune system to recognize five proteins expressed on breast cancer stem cells, which are linked to tumor growth, recurrence, and drug resistance. This approach seeks to address the limitations of current immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are often ineffective for PD-L1-negative patients.

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive subtype that lacks estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2. It is more prevalent in Black women, women under 40, and those with BRCA1 mutations. While TNBC carries a higher risk of relapse and advanced-stage diagnosis, patients often show responsiveness to combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments currently being explored through various clinical trial phases.