“Pitt Vaccine Trial Offers Hope for Pre-Invasive Breast Cancer Treatment”

By Emily King

A grant from A Glimmer of Hope Foundation seeded a vaccine trial at the University of Pittsburgh that could be a key to treating pre-invasive breast cancer. 

A Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a Pittsburgh-based breast cancer foundation that is committed to advancing the fight against breast cancer through research, programs, and studies. The dedicated team of 50 volunteers leads fundraising efforts that have resulted in over $7 million raised for breast cancer projects at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Allegheny Health Network.

The foundation granted $100,000 to a landmark trial by Pitt and UPMC, which was leveraged to secure a $2.1 million grant from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the largest funder of breast cancer research worldwide. 

The trial is testing whether a vaccine will initiate an immune system response in women with Stage-0 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a pre-cancer diagnosis. This condition occurs when cancer cells are contained in the milk ducts and have not yet invaded nearby breast tissue. DCIS is typically diagnosed via mammogram. Stage-0 DCIS will progress to invasive breast cancer in 10%-50% of patients and some patients are over-treated as a precaution. A successful vaccine could decrease the need for aggressive therapy. 

The vaccine relies on the MUC-1 protein, which can trigger an immune response that may help fight the cancer cells. Vaccines specific for MUC-1 are safe and have already been shown to reduce the rate of recurrence of high-risk premalignant lesions in colon cancer. The DCIS vaccine trial is led by Olivera Finn, accomplished Professor of Immunology and surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. 

The first phase of the study was opened to 50 post-menopausal patients. The trial consists of two groups; the experimental group will receive three doses of the vaccine along with the standard care recommended by their doctor. These patients will first receive an aromatase inhibiter (hormone therapy) for 12 weeks. Estrogen aids the growth of DCIS, so blocking estrogen can help decrease its growth. Then they will undergo surgery, radiation, or both as prescribed by their doctor. They may also receive a booster of the vaccine after six months. 

The control group will not receive the vaccine but will also take the estrogen-locking hormone therapy for 12 weeks. Then they will follow the course of treatment as determined by their doctor, consisting of surgery and/or radiation. 

Emily Diego, associate professor of surgery and section chief of breast surgery for breast surgery oncology, is the co-director of the UPMC Breast Surgery and principal investigator for the clinical trial. She hopes to determine whether the use of this vaccine can help the immune system recognize precancer cells and attack them before they develop into invasive cancer. 

In August of 2025, some changes were made to the trial protocol in order to recruit more subjects, making hormone therapy optional and also opening the study to pre-menopausal women. The study is set to conclude in August of 2028. If the findings of the study show successful treatment with the vaccine, this could be a promising improvement for breast cancer care. 

A Glimmer of Hope Foundation was founded by Diana Napper in 1994. She established the foundation to honor her dear friend Carol Jo Weiss Friedman, who lost her battle to breast cancer in 1990. Napper’s dedication to her friend’s legacy inspired her to create a nonprofit organization to support breast cancer patients and their loved ones. GOH particularly focuses on pre-menopausal breast cancer, which is more aggressive in young women. The success of GOH is made possible through the generous support of individuals, businesses, sports figures, and sports organizations in the Pittsburgh area who take pride I knowing that their donations are being used to support cancer patients in their local community. For more information about GOH, visit symbolofthecure.com.