A new experimental vaccine is showing strong potential in preventing the recurrence of aggressive cancers such as pancreatic and colorectal. Early trial results indicate the treatment could become a major breakthrough against two of the deadliest forms of cancer.
The vaccine, known as ELI-002 2P, targets tumors driven by KRAS mutations, which are found in nearly 90% of pancreatic cancers and about half of colorectal cancers. In a phase one study involving 25 patients, 84% developed immune responses against KRAS. Those with the strongest responses remained cancer-free for nearly 20 months, far exceeding typical survival timelines for these diseases. Six patients—three with colorectal cancer and three with pancreatic cancer—saw their cancer biomarkers completely disappear.
Unlike custom-tailored mRNA therapies, ELI-002 is designed as an “off-the-shelf” treatment. That makes it easier to produce, more affordable, and widely available if proven effective. Researchers also noted that the vaccine appeared to stimulate the immune system against other tumor-related mutations, suggesting broader protection beyond KRAS-driven cancers.
Experts call the results an exciting advance in a field where treatment options remain limited. Pancreatic cancer has a recurrence rate of about 80% after surgery, while colorectal cancer recurs in up to 50% of patients. These grim statistics underscore the urgency for new tools to extend survival.
Researchers caution that the findings are early and based on a small patient group. The trial did not include a control arm, and larger randomized studies are needed. A phase two trial using an updated version of the vaccine, ELI-002 7P, is already planned to test its effectiveness against a wider range of KRAS mutations.
If successful, the vaccine could significantly alter cancer treatment by reducing relapse rates and offering hope to patients facing cancers with historically low survival outcomes.
