Zachary Hartman

Stories

Therapeutic cancer vaccines emerge from decades of development

As of July 2026: Senior author on CD27 study

Metastatic breast cancer typically kills most patients within five years. A small group of women vaccinated in a Duke University clinical trial two decades ago have defied that prognosis entirely; all remain alive today. Researchers found these survivors still carry specialized immune cells that recognize their cancer, offering a model for why some therapeutic vaccines produce lasting results.

Updated Jul 9

Notable Quotes

"We were stunned to see such durable immune responses so many years later."

from Therapeutic cancer vaccines emerge from decades of development · Updated Jul 9

"The real promise of it is that you could eliminate cancer cells throughout the body. You're not just suppressing them temporarily, but you could actually teach your body to go after them."

from Therapeutic cancer vaccines emerge from decades of development · Updated Jul 9