UMass Amherst Develops Promising Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Vaccine

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a nanoparticle-based vaccine that effectively prevents melanoma, pancreatic, and triple-negative breast cancers in mice. In their study, up to 88% of vaccinated mice remained tumor-free, and the vaccine also reduced or completely prevented cancer metastasis. The vaccine works by combining cancer-specific antigens with a lipid nanoparticle "super adjuvant," triggering a multi-pathway immune response that activates T-cells and establishes long-term immune memory. This approach overcomes key challenges in cancer immunotherapy by providing robust and lasting protection against tumor growth and spread. The findings were published on October 9, 2025, in Cell Reports Medicine.

The study, led by Assistant Professor Prabhani Atukorale, demonstrated that the vaccine's efficacy varied across different cancer types:

• 88% tumor rejection in pancreatic cancer models.
• 75% tumor rejection in triple-negative breast cancer models.
• 69% tumor rejection in melanoma models.

Additionally, vaccinated mice showed a significant reduction in lung metastases compared to control groups.

The vaccine's design incorporates a lipid nanoparticle "super adjuvant" that co-delivers two distinct immune adjuvants alongside cancer-specific antigens derived from tumor lysates. This formulation activates multiple immune pathways, leading to a robust T-cell response and the establishment of long-term immune memory. By stimulating a multi-pathway immune response, the vaccine activates T-cells and establishes long-term immune memory, providing robust and lasting protection against tumor growth and spread.

Assistant Professor Prabhani Atukorale, who led the research team, emphasized the significance of this approach:

"By engineering these nanoparticles to activate the immune system via multi-pathway activation that combines with cancer-specific antigens, we can prevent tumor growth with remarkable survival rates."

The study's first author, Postdoctoral Research Associate Griffin Kane, highlighted the vaccine's impact on immune activation:

"There is really intense immune activation when you treat innate immune cells with this formulation, which triggers these cells to present antigens and prime tumor-killing T cells."

The development of this vaccine holds significant promise for cancer prevention and treatment. It offers a potential prophylactic approach for individuals at high risk of developing certain cancers and could be adapted for therapeutic use in existing cancer patients, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life. Moreover, by preventing disease onset and progression, the vaccine may reduce healthcare costs associated with cancer treatment.

This study builds upon prior research in nanoparticle-based cancer vaccines. The current study's use of a lipid nanoparticle "super adjuvant" represents a significant advancement, achieving higher tumor rejection rates and effective metastasis prevention.

The researchers plan to extend this technology to therapeutic vaccines and have initiated steps toward clinical translation. The startup NanoVax Therapeutics, co-founded by Atukorale and Kane, aims to develop both preventive and therapeutic regimens based on this platform.

The development of this nanoparticle-based vaccine by UMass Amherst researchers marks a significant milestone in cancer immunotherapy. Its success in preclinical models paves the way for future clinical trials and offers hope for more effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies.