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First-of-its-kind study looks to find vaccine for rare but aggressive form of breast cancer

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Triple-negative breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer, making up just 15% of cases, but it’s also one of the most aggressive.

Now, a first-of-its-kind study at the Cleveland Clinic hopes to uncover a possible vaccine.

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READ: New treatments for breast cancer being used in Central Florida

It’s all a very early, Phase 1 trial, so there are still many steps ahead; but success here could lead to more advanced trials of a new and powerful weapon against breast cancer.

Researchers are testing an FDA-approved drug that targets a protein found in the majority of triple-negative breast cancers.

READ: Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 9 things to watch out for

In an initial study of mice in 2011, the drug kept existing tumors from growing and new ones from forming.

The research is slated to run through next September.

READ: Breast cancer by the numbers: What you need to know

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.