A new vaccine for pancreatic cancer, known as ELI-002 2P, is showing promise in extending survival rates, with researchers describing the findings as 'remarkable.'

In a phase 1 trial, patients who exhibited stronger immune responses to the vaccine experienced an average survival of two years and five months, along with a significant period without cancer recurrence.

Dr. Zev Wainberg, who led the study, emphasized that the survival times for patients with robust immune responses were significantly longer than anticipated, underscoring the vaccine's potential.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers, with around 10,800 new cases diagnosed annually in the UK, making it the fifth most lethal and the tenth most common cancer.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can often be vague and mistaken for less serious conditions, complicating early diagnosis; experts urge individuals to consult healthcare professionals if they experience unusual symptoms.

Key early symptoms to be aware of include persistent abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, changes in urine and stool, new onset diabetes, fatigue, and indigestion that does not respond to treatment.

Dr. Chris Macdonald highlighted the study's significance in demonstrating the effectiveness of a universal vaccine approach, which could broaden access to immunotherapy for more patients.

Unlike personalized cancer vaccines, ELI-002 2P can be mass-produced, allowing for quicker distribution and availability to patients.

Further testing is underway among a larger group of pancreatic and bowel cancer patients to validate the initial findings.

The vaccine may also help prevent cancer recurrence, with patients remaining cancer-free for over 15 months on average after treatment.

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, with only 10% of cases identified in time for life-saving surgery, leading to a grim prognosis for most patients.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, involved 25 patients, with 68% developing strong immune responses to mutant KRAS proteins after an average follow-up of nearly 20 months.