Breast Cancer Vaccine Clinical Trial comes to Central PA via UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Harrisburg, Pa. (May 20, 2026) – UPMC is bringing a first-of-its kind clinical trial to central Pennsylvania to help understand whether a vaccine can prevent breast cancer.

The study is based on decades of research by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine immunologist Olivera Finn, Ph.D., and was launched at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh in 2024 in collaboration with breast surgical oncologist Emilia Diego, M.D., and medical oncologist Julia Foldi, M.D., Ph.D.. 

“This is a very innovative approach that can potentially stop breast cancer before it develops,” said Dr. Diego. “Our long-term vision is to prevent cancer, and the women who are part of this trial are helping us reach that goal.”

The vaccine, delivered in three doses, is designed to initiate an immune response in those diagnosed with Stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a precancer diagnosis, to prevent it from developing into cancer.

Kit Lu, M.D., breast medical oncologist and director of clinical trials, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Central Pa., said the investments made in UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers across the region give central Pennsylvania residents access to not only this clinical trial, but hundreds of others.

“Many of today’s standard-of-care therapies began as treatments studied in clinical trials decades ago,” Dr. Lu said. “Being part of a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer network gives our patients in central Pennsylvania access to promising therapies and new diagnostic approaches.”

The breast cancer vaccine clinical trial is open to a very specific set of patients. Participants must be women 50 years of age and older who are post-menopausal with a diagnosis of early-stage DCIS.

Patients enrolled in the trial will receive the standard recommended surgery to remove the abnormal cells. Those randomized to the vaccine arm of the trial will first receive three doses of the vaccine and then surgery.

“Surgery is our first line of defense when it comes to stopping DCIS from progressing to cancer. But it’s not a guarantee, so anything we can do to strengthen the body’s defense gives us hope,” said Brynn Wolff, M.D., director of breast surgery, UPMC Magee-Womens in Central Pa. Her breast surgeon colleague Katherine Barton, M.D. will also be part of the local study team.

Following surgery, the women in the clinical trial will be followed for many years to determine if the cancer returns. If the vaccine is found to be safe and effective, the trial will expand to recruit a larger group of women at other cancer centers to further to validate their findings.

Learn more about UPMC Hillman Cancer Center clinical trials.

About UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center connects patients to the integrated expertise of leading clinicians, academic researchers, specialty programs and treatment centers. By partnering with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region, is accelerating the breakthroughs from the lab to clinical practice around the world. UPMC - nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for excellence in cancer care - has 80 cancer treatment locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Maryland as well as centers in Ireland, Italy and Croatia. Backed by the collective strength of UPMC, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center provides leading-edge treatments and the latest in clinical investigations to transform cancer research, care and prevention—one patient at a time.

About the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine 

As one of the nation’s leading academic centers for biomedical research, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine integrates advanced technology with basic science across a broad range of disciplines in a continuous quest to harness the power of new knowledge and improve the human condition. Driven mainly by the School of Medicine and its affiliates, Pitt has ranked among the top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998. In rankings released by the National Science Foundation, Pitt is in the upper echelon of all American universities in total federal science and engineering research and development support. 

Likewise, the School of Medicine is equally committed to advancing the quality and strength of its medical and graduate education programs, for which it is recognized as an innovative leader, and to training highly skilled, compassionate clinicians and creative scientists well-equipped to engage in world-class research. The School of Medicine is the academic partner of UPMC, which has collaborated with the University to raise the standard of medical excellence in Pittsburgh and to position health care as a driving force behind the region’s economy. For more information about the School of Medicine, see www.medschool.pitt.edu.