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Breast cancer vaccine trial begins with first patient
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A study of a novel breast cancer vaccine officially began, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) announced on June 20, with the first participant receiving a full course of the vaccine.
“Today, more than 30 years of research have led us to a first-of-its-kind clinical trial of a vaccine that could significantly change the diagnosis of breast cancer,” said Elizabeth Wild, president of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, at a news conference at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.
The study plans to recruit 50 women like Maria Kitay, 67, who was diagnosed this winter with stage 0 breast cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ. Kitay, of North Hills, received three shots of the vaccine over 10 weeks, with her third shot given the morning of June 20 before a news conference. She will have surgery and other standard treatments in two weeks.
Researchers will assess whether Kitai and future participants develop an immune response to the vaccine that could help the body fight future cases of cancer.
“This is one of the few studies that is looking to develop a vaccine for people at stages where they have precancerous lesions,” said Emilia Diego, a breast surgeon at Magee-Womens. “Hopefully, in the future, this will be a vaccine for people who don’t have cancer at all.”
“We’re looking forward to more women signing up for this study because it’s a very innovative approach to diagnosing breast cancer, particularly precancerous conditions where we can prevent it with a vaccine and ultimately prevent it from developing into cancer,” said lead researcher and University of Pittsburgh Distinguished Professor of Immunology and Surgery Olivera Finn.
"The long-term goal is to prevent cancer, and the women taking part in this trial will really help us fight it once and for all."