Can we prevent breast cancer? The promising new clinical trial with a vaccine.

A new clinical trial at the Cleveland Clinic may be preventing triple-negative breast cancer from recurring. And it could also help those with the BRCA-1, BRCA-2 genes. Patient Chase Johnson and Anixa Biosciences CEO, Dr. Amit Kumar, explain.

00:02:17 — Chase’s treatment path (chemo, surgery, radiation, oral chemo) and why she pursued added protection.
00:03:37 — Trial logistics: waitlist, eligibility timing, travel to Cleveland, scans, and enrollment.
00:04:51 — What the vaccine shots were like (3 injections, spaced 2 weeks apart).
Study: https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/breast-cancer-vaccine-moves-one-step-forward
00:05:31 — Side effects and why an immune response is considered expected.
00:06:34 — Recurrence timing stats and the significance of the 5-year milestone.
00:07:33 — Dr. Kumar explains the vaccine concept and alpha-lactalbumin target.
00:10:10 — Trial status: phase one complete; phase two planning with more sites nationwide.
00:11:22 — Potential rollout path: treatment, recurrence prevention, then prophylactic use.
00:13:33 — Pregnancy/breastfeeding considerations: likely impacts milk production, not fertility.
00:14:34 — Chase’s post-vaccine peace of mind; immunotherapy as the future.
00:15:13 — Chase’s dog helped detect the lump; self-advocacy when dismissed as “too young.”
00:19:40 — Why TNBC is hard to treat (no ER/PR/HER2 targets) and why it’s aggressive.
00:20:44 — How to track phase two locations; importance of clinical trials and prevention vision.
00:23:24 — Other cancer vaccine research (e.g., ovarian) and closing takeaways on vigilance.

The Wellness Files is a health-focused podcast where we explore practical tools, research and real patient stories. We hope to inform, inspire, and connect to audiences so you can be the best version of yourself, while also asking tough questions about safety and effectiveness.