UCLA Trial Reports Strong Results for Off-the-Shelf Cancer Vaccine

The ELI-002 2P cancer vaccine, developed by Elicio Therapeutics, has shown promising results in a clinical trial led by the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. This innovative vaccine targets KRAS mutations, which are common in many solid tumors, particularly pancreatic and colorectal cancers. On September 16, 2026, researchers reported that the vaccine elicited strong and lasting immune responses in 25 patients, resulting in a median relapse-free survival of 16.33 months and a median overall survival of 28.94 months. These outcomes significantly surpass historical benchmarks for these challenging cancer types.

KRAS mutations are known to drive approximately 90% of pancreatic cancers and 50% of colorectal cancers, making them a vital target for cancer therapies. The ELI-002 2P vaccine is distinct because it is an off-the-shelf product, meaning it does not require personalization for each patient. Instead, it is designed to stimulate a generalized immune response against cancer cells. This approach simplifies the treatment process, which often involves complex and time-consuming custom vaccine development.

The study included patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and colorectal cancer, all of whom had undergone surgery and showed minimal residual disease, indicated by traces of cancer DNA in their blood. Participants received a series of injections with the ELI-002 2P vaccine, which uses amphiphile technology to deliver antigens directly to lymph nodes, enhancing immune activation. Remarkably, 84% of patients developed KRAS-specific T cells, with many of these cells persisting over time, highlighting the vaccine's potential to create long-lasting immune defenses.

Beyond the immediate benefits for patients, the research suggests broader implications for cancer treatment. Among the trial participants, 67% exhibited immune responses to additional tumor-associated mutations, indicating that the vaccine could provide extensive anti-tumor activity. This could pave the way for new strategies in cancer immunotherapy, particularly for patients with KRAS-driven malignancies, which have historically been difficult to treat effectively.

Looking ahead, the research team has moved forward to a larger Phase 2 study of ELI-002 7P, an advanced version of the vaccine that targets a broader range of KRAS mutations. This next step aims to further validate the vaccine's efficacy and safety in a larger patient population. The study, which has drawn significant attention, marks an important milestone in the quest to develop effective treatments for KRAS-driven cancers, a long-standing challenge in oncology.