Australian Scientists Make Significant Strides in Breast Cancer Treatment

Sydney: Australian researchers have advanced treatment for the most common form of breast cancer, ER+/HER2-, which accounts for 70% of global cases. A clinical trial led by Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Center explored the impact of adding the immunotherapy drug nivolumab to chemotherapy administered before surgery. The study, involving 510 participants, aimed to assess how nivolumab, infused during the pre-surgery phase, affected outcomes compared to a placebo.

The results showed that 25% of participants receiving nivolumab achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR), where no detectable cancer remained after surgery, compared to 14% in the placebo group. Sherene Loi, a medical oncologist and trial leader, noted that patients achieving pCR are often considered cured, as tissue samples from the breast and lymph nodes showed no signs of cancer. These findings suggest that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy could provide significant benefits for patients with this breast cancer subtype.

Separately, Russia has announced plans to introduce an mRNA-based vaccine for cancer treatment in early 2025. Unlike preventive vaccines, this personalized vaccine is designed to treat existing cancers by targeting genetic material derived from the patient’s tumor. According to state-run media, the vaccine will be available free to Russian citizens, with an estimated state cost of 300,000 rubles (approximately $2,869) per dose.

Andrey Kaprin, head of the Radiology Medical Research Centre under Russia’s Ministry of Health, emphasized that the vaccine is intended for therapeutic use, marking a step toward personalized cancer care. By leveraging mRNA technology, the vaccine aims to harness the patient’s immune system to combat cancer more effectively.

These developments underscore a global shift toward personalized medical strategies in cancer treatment. The Australian trial highlights the potential for combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy to enhance cure rates, while Russia’s mRNA vaccine initiative represents a move toward tailored treatment approaches. Both efforts contribute to the broader goal of improving cancer care and survival outcomes worldwide.