An experimental, mass-produced vaccine has shown encouraging early results in preventing the cancer recurrence of pancreatic or colorectal cancers, according to a study published in Nature Medicine on 11 August 2025.
Scaled-Production Vaccine Targets Common Cancer Mutation
The vaccine, known as ELI-002 2P, was tested by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, on 25 patients who had undergone surgery for pancreatic or colorectal cancerss. Unlike personalised mRNA cancer vaccines, which are tailored to an individual’s tumour, ELI-002 2P targets a common mutation in the Kras gene, found in about 90% of pancreatic cancer cases and 50% of colorectal cancer cases.
Mutations in Kras lead to the production of altered proteins that drive uncontrolled cell growth. The vaccine contains peptides—chains of amino acids—that train the body’s T-cells to recognise and destroy cells producing these abnormal proteins.
Lead researcher Prof. Zev Wainberg said the approach could be faster and cheaper to deliver than personalised mRNA vaccines and potentially less toxic than some existing treatments. “After long-term follow-up, we saw that patients who mounted an immune response had a greater likelihood of avoiding cancer recurrence and living longer than historically expected,” he said.
Early Results Show Clear Immune Response
The study monitored patients for a median period of nearly 20 months. Of the participants, 17 developed a strong immune response to the vaccine, while eight had a weaker response.
In the strong-response group, only four patients died during follow-up, compared to seven deaths in the weaker-response group. Those with stronger immune responses also experienced longer periods before their cancer returned.
However, the trial was primarily designed to assess safety rather than prove efficacy. It involved a small sample size, lacked a control group, and included two different cancer types. Researchers emphasised that larger, randomised controlled trials are essential to confirm the findings.
Expert Reactions and Future Research
Experts not involved in the study said the results were promising but urged caution. Prof. Siow Ming Lee, a medical oncologist at University College London, suggested that the vaccine could be tested alongside other immunotherapies and might be applicable to other Kras-driven pancreatic or colorectal cancers, such as some lung cancers.
“With promising early results and potentially fewer side-effects than current oral inhibitors, this off-the-shelf cancer vaccine could broaden treatment options,” Lee said.
Dr. Shivan Sivakumar of the University of Birmingham, who researches mRNA-based pancreatic cancer vaccines, described the immune responses as “fascinating.” However, he noted that personalized mRNA vaccines can target a wider range of mutations beyond Kras, potentially benefiting more patients. “We need randomised control trials and longer follow-up to see if these results hold up,” he added.
Potential Impact
If further research confirms its safety and effectiveness, ELI-002 2P could offer a more widely available post-surgery treatment for cancers linked to Kras mutations. This could be especially significant for patients in regions with limited access to personalised therapies, offering a faster and potentially more affordable way to reduce cancer recurrence risk.
Also Read – Personalized Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Preventing Kidney Cancer Recurrence
