Results from a trial of an mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer have shown that the vaccine reduces the chance of the cancer recurring in patients who initially respond.

The mRNA vaccine works by targeting genetic mutations found in pancreatic cancer, alerting the immune system to recognize and attack the tumor. During surgery, doctors removed each patient’s tumor and sent it to the German biotechnology company BioNTech.

Pancreatic cancer reprograms nerve cells to fuel its growth, but blocking these connections can shrink tumors and boost treatment effectiveness. Pancreatic cancer is closely linked to the nervous system,