Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine have completed Phase I trials for evaluating the safety of a vaccine targeting the protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and analyzing the presence of an immune response to the protein. Breast cancer cells that present HER2 protein tend to be more aggressive and are linked with cancer recurrence.

Researchers are studying how to mount this same immune response using DNA vaccines. The DNA vaccine contains the DNA framework for the target protein, HER2. After the DNA vaccine is injected, the body creates the protein from the instructions given by the vaccine. The body then creates an immune response to the protein in advance

The results of the study have shown that the vaccine was stimulated an immune response in participants. The vaccine was determined to be safe, with side effects similar to those from COVID vaccines. The strongest immune response was seen in patients who received the intermediate doses.