Novel Breast Cancer Vaccine Technology Receives Japanese Patent
- by Amber Baker
- Published
- Vaccines
Anixa Biosciences, Inc. of San Jose, California announced on July 17, 2024, that its collaborator, the Cleveland Clinic, has received a “Decision to Grant” notice from the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for the patent application titled “Vaccine Adjuvants and Formulations” for its novel breast cancer vaccine technology. The company is two decades into developing a vaccine targeting triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. The vaccine aims to prevent recurrence and is currently in clinical trials.1 2
Anixa Biosciences’ vaccine targets two specific proteins: alpha-lactalbumin and anti-Mullerian hormone receptor II (AMHR2-ED). These proteins are found in many types of breast and ovarian cancers. By targeting these proteins, the vaccine aims to activate the immune system to destroy cancer cells as they emerge, potentially preventing the formation of tumors in both breast and ovarian tissues.3
“This new Japanese patent extends the claims for this novel breast cancer vaccine technology to an additional geographic region, beyond the U.S. and European patents previously awarded,” said Amit Kumar, PhD, CEO of Anixa Biosciences. “As the exclusive worldwide licensee of the technology, we value the additional protection this patent provides as we continue clinical development.”1
Anixa Biosciences is one of multiple companies in the running to develop a breast cancer vaccine. UW Medicine of Seattle, Washington, in collaboration with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, is testing a HER2-targeted vaccine that has shown promising safety and immune response in clinical trials. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic is working on personalized cancer vaccines that target neoantigens specific to breast cancer tumors, aiming to enhance the body’s immune response against the disease.4
“Various other types of cancer vaccines have been attempted and nothing has been successful,” Kumar said in a 2023 interview. “The reason we believe that they failed is because of the mechanism of action that’s been utilized to try and destroy cancer cells.”2
U.K. Tests New Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccines Using “Matchmaking” Platform
A new initiative in the United Kingdom called the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) seeks to provide accelerated access to personalized mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) cancer vaccine clinical trials for cancer patients using a “matchmaking” framework similar to popular smartphone dating apps. In partnership with BioNTech, the CVLP aims to advance the use of personalized mRNA cancer vaccines to deliver treatments to up to 10,000 patients by 2030. The program operates alongside the National Health Service (NHS) Genomic Medicine Service, enhancing the accessibility of the latest cancer treatments nationwide.5
“This technology pioneers the use of mRNA-based vaccines to sensitize people’s immune system and in turn detect and target cancer at its earliest stages,” said Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research U.K. “Clinical trials like this are vital in helping more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. If successful, the vaccine will be a game changer in preventing the onset or return of bowel cancer.”5
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, and diagnoses continue to rise, especially in younger women. In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women. In 2009, an expert panel increased the recommended age for women to receive their first mammogram for breast cancer screening from 40 to 50. Earlier this year, they lowered it back to 40 in response to rising cancer rates among younger women. It is recommended that women with an average risk of breast cancer be screened every two years, the panel says.6 7 8
FDA Green-Lights Human Testing of Novel Breast Cancer Vaccine
After years of animal testing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the green light to begin human testing on the novel breast cancer vaccine in 2021. Jennifer Davis, a 41-year-old mother of three diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2018, was the first woman to receive the three-dose series.”2
“A lot of people, physicians, doctors, scientists, nurses, people like myself and others are going to be working on this before this vaccine is approved,” Dr. Kumar said. “But the people who should really get the credit are people like Jenny and all the patients who let us as scientists try the vaccine out.” A double-blind study including hundreds of female participants is scheduled for 2024.2
According to DataHorizzon Research of India, advancements in targeted breast cancer therapies and immunotherapy will drive market growth in the coming years to the tune of $53.2 Billion by 2032, with prominent players including F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Novartis AG, AstraZeneca PLC, Pfizer, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Daiichi Sankyo Company Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Seagen, Inc., Gilead Sciences, Inc., and Puma Biotechnology, Inc.9
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