HOPE: Prevention Exists! A Vaccine to Prevent Breast Cancer

 Imagine for a moment that it’s possible to prevent breast cancer! Imagine not having to worry that this horrible disease could strike you or someone you love. Being diagnosed with breast cancer is every woman’s nightmare. Before my diagnosis, every mammogram appointment caused great anxiety which began weeks prior.  The aftermath was no less stressful awaiting results. What a relief it was when a report arrived in the mail with the good news that, for another year at least, I had been spared. Sadly four years ago my luck ran out, my “get out of jail free” card expired, and I was diagnosed with bi-lateral breast cancer. As any survivor will tell you, it was a devastating blow. 

After completing a year of surgeries, treatments and reconstruction, I began researching information on the Internet to create my own recurrence prevention plan.  In the midst of my search for prevention strategies, I encountered a video about “The First Preventive Breast Cancer Vaccine” developed at the Cleveland Clinic.  Dr. Vincent Tuohy had just received the 2010 Sones Award as Cleveland Clinic's Innovator of the year for developing a vaccine designed to safely and effectively prevent breast cancer. 

Dr. Vincent K. Tuohy is an immunologist and research scientist at the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, one of the finest research institutes in the world. As an immunologist, Dr. Tuohy’s approach was unique and revolutionary.  He recognized the enormous healthcare need to develop immune protection against adult onset cancers similar to the protection provided by the childhood vaccination program against infectious diseases. Why had the same principle which had nearly eradicated diseases such as polio, whooping cough, and diphtheria not been applied to adult cancers?  

The vaccine developed by Dr. Tuohy is quite different than traditional vaccines.  It is technically 'immunoprevention' as it targets a protein expressed in breast cancers, but NOT in normal tissue. He proved that vaccination with the protein, alpha-lactalbumin, could safely prevent breast tumors from forming in mice with 100% effectiveness. It’s vital to note that many strategies that now work in humans were first successfully tested in mice. With preclinical lab testing complete, the vaccine now awaits funding to begin trials in women. 

Nearly all funding for breast cancer research is earmarked for new treatment or diagnostic testing.  Less than 3% of all research funds are used for prevention. Achieving the necessary funding is extremely challenging. Dr. Tuohy has briefed members of Congress and worked tirelessly, not only to perfect the vaccine, but to seek the necessary funding.  His research was published in the prestigious Nature Medicine and has been vetted by the scientific community. Vaccinated lab animals show perfectly normal behavior and no detectable signs of inflammation or damage to any normal tissue, yet they are protected from breast cancer.

Since 95% of breast cancers occur in women over 40 years old, these women as well as younger women with genetic or familial risk for breast cancer could elect to receive the vaccine as an alternative to voluntary mastectomy. Last November Dr. Tuohy was awarded the Mort and Iris November Distinguished Chair in Innovative Breast Cancer Research for his research. Dr. Tuohy’s preventive vaccine for breast cancer is a first. The difficult journey he has faced to achieve funding has been a long one, but like other great and 'unimaginable' ideas this road will be conquered. He has this vaccine which prevents breast cancer in mice. It has had 11 years of animal testing. What now works in humans, first worked in mice. The funds will come…the history books will have one more great moment to report.

Just like the day Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, there will be a day when we can say…it’s time. Dr. Tuohy, take your vaccine off the shelf in your lab, well done good and faithful servant…you’re going to clinical trials! So prevention is not only possible, but it exists. True prevention…not treatment…imagine!! So what’s needed? More funding is needed to bring this incredible discovery to trials. Won’t it be a remarkable moment when our children can say…remember when there used to be breast cancer?

Please go to www.sisters4prevention.com for more details about the vaccine and funding progress.    Prevention is the Cure - The Pink Vaccine is the Answer.