A pioneering phase one clinical trial has examined a new cell-based immunotherapy for breast cancer, and the results have been accepted for publication in JAMA Oncology. The innovative technology tested was co-created by Gary Koski, Ph.D., a professor at Kent State University in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Brian J. Czerniecki, M.D., Ph.D., chair and senior member of the Department of Breast Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center. This study introduces a fresh treatment strategy that aims to utilize the body’s immune system to improve patient responses while minimizing reliance on traditional chemotherapy and the side effects that come with it.
The trial included 12 individuals diagnosed with locally advanced stage I-III HER2 breast cancer and builds on findings from earlier research that was funded by a Department of Defense Breakthrough Award grant.
Dr. Czerniecki expressed optimism, stating, “We are hopeful that we will be able to use this new immunotherapy instead of chemotherapy, or at least significantly reduce the need for chemotherapy, for all types of breast cancer.”
This immunotherapy approach employs dendritic cells, which are vital to the immune system as they detect infections and activate other immune responses to fight them off. The researchers extracted some of these dendritic cells, modified them biochemically to target cancer, and injected them directly into the breast tumors. This process initiated a robust coordinated immune response against the cancer, resulting in notable tumor shrinkage prior to the commencement of standard chemotherapy.
Remarkably, within just six weeks of receiving immunotherapy, eight out of the 12 patients experienced a tumor volume reduction of at least 50%. The treatment was associated with only mild side effects, mainly flu-like symptoms, in contrast to the severe adverse effects commonly linked with standard chemotherapy.
Dr. Koski highlighted, “These exciting results are the culmination of nearly 30 years of collaborative research between my laboratory and Dr. Czerniecki’s.”
The researchers have initiated a larger phase two trial aimed at testing higher doses of this promising immunotherapy to further assess its effectiveness.
This published clinical trial was made possible through the support of the Moffitt Breast Cancer Research Fund, the Don Shula Foundation, and contributions from the Pennies in Action organization, which has raised about $7 million over the past decade to aid this cutting-edge cancer research. This innovative funding model enables patients to have a direct role in facilitating new treatments that may serve them and future patients.
