Attend the information session on Nov. 11 at Saucon Valley Country Club
The region’s only clinical trial for an immunotherapeutic pancreatic cancer vaccine is based at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat. But the tide is beginning to turn. Through innovative research, advanced clinical trials and unprecedented collaboration, new treatments are bringing genuine hope to patients and families.
The randomized trial, with Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief of Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute serving as principal investigator, is evaluating the drug, ELI-002 7P. The drug “teaches” the immune system to fight pancreatic cancer recurrence by targeting specific genetic mutations that cause cancer cells to grow.
Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent infections, this therapeutic vaccine activates a patient’s own immune system to recognize and attack their cancer cells. It’s part of the move in recent years toward personalized cancer treatments, and the premise for establishing the Peter and Odete Kelly Center for Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest this year.
Supported by a generous donation from Peter and Odete Kelly, the Cancer Institute can accelerate its research into personalized therapies. The funding also made it possible for the Cancer Institute to become an Expanded Access Program, or “compassionate use site,” for the pancreatic cancer vaccine. This means that LVHN can now provide a pathway for seriously ill cancer patients who are ineligible for a standard clinical trial to access promising experimental treatments.
After a patient undergoes surgery, scientists analyze the unique mutations in that individual’s tumor. The patient’s immune system learns to detect those specific cancer mutations and create a lasting immune response that can prevent the cancer from coming back.
“The idea is to reprogram the tumor microenvironment,” Dr. Nair says. “The vaccine sensitizes the patient’s T cells to the specific KRAS mutation that is present in their pancreatic cancer. This allows the body to mount an immune response against the cancer.”
“Early clinical trials have shown remarkably promising results,” says Maged Khalil, MD, Associate Director of Research with the Cancer Institute. “Many patients developed robust immune responses, and some have remained cancer-free well beyond the expected time frame for recurrence.”
To promote education about the vaccine and the clinical trial at LVHN, Drs. Nair and Khalil will present a public discussion on Nov. 11, 5-7 p.m. at Saucon Valley Country Club. They will provide the latest news about the vaccine trial, and members of the clinical team at the Cancer Institute will discuss their approach to care. Representatives from the Pancreatic Cancer Hope Foundation and Fightin' Foran's Foundation will also share their updates on giving back to the community and fighting for a cure.
Registration for the pancreatic cancer information session is open.
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