Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and for patients whose disease has spread, survival rates remain dismally low. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer care, they benefit only a small fraction of colorectal cancer patients because most tumors evade immune recognition. A common mutation in the KRAS gene—found in roughly 40% of colorectal cancers—offers a promising new target for therapy. Dr. Hejia Wang is investigating how the body’s immune system can be trained to recognize this mutation through a novel KRAS-targeted vaccine. In an early clinical trial, combining this vaccine with checkpoint inhibitors led to tumor shrinkage in several patients with advanced colorectal cancer, offering hope that targeting mutant KRAS could transform treatment for this difficult-to-treat cancer.
Dr. Wang’s project seeks to uncover why only some patients respond to this combination therapy. Using blood and tumor samples from trial participants, he will isolate and study the T cells activated by the vaccine to determine how effectively they recognize and attack tumor cells. By mapping the unique molecular and functional features of these immune cells, his work aims to reveal biomarkers that predict response and to refine future vaccine designs that generate more potent and durable anti-tumor immunity.
Dr. Wang brings a blend of expertise in biochemistry, cancer immunology, and clinical oncology. His past research has led to advances in protein engineering and intracellular drug delivery, and his current work bridges laboratory discovery with patient care. By uncovering how KRAS-targeted vaccines engage the immune system, Dr. Wang aims to pave the way for next-generation immunotherapies that extend the life-saving benefits of immunotherapy to more patients with colorectal and other KRAS-driven cancers.
Sponsor
Elizabeth Jaffee, MD
Projects and Grants
T-cell determinants of clinical response to a mutant KRAS vaccine in colorectal cancer
