OHIO — For Jennifer Davis, her colorful backyard in Lisbon is her happy place.

What You Need To Know

  • Early data coming out of an experimental breast cancer vaccine clinical trial at the Cleveland Clinic is showing promising signs in the fight toward prevention of triple-negative breast cancer
  • Triple-negative breast cancer represents about 15% of all invasive breast cancers and is one of the most aggressive and challenging types to treat
  • Jennifer Davis became the first patient in the Cleveland Clinic’s breast cancer vaccine trial in Oct. 2021
  • Early data shows the vaccine produced an immune response in all study participants

“I love it," she said.

Davis said she has a lot to be thankful for these days, including her health.

“I try to stay as positive as possible," she said.

The mother of three was shocked to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer nearly five years ago.

“It’s something I don’t think you’re ever prepared to hear," she said. "I was 41 years old, no family history whatsoever."

As a nurse, Davis knows triple-negative breast cancer represents about 15% of all invasive breast cancers and is one of the most aggressive and challenging types to treat.

"Triple-negative has a really high rate of recurrence and the prognosis is not the greatest," she said.

After chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and radiation, Davis sought out ways to reduce the risk of recurrence.

She became the first patient in the Cleveland Clinic’s breast cancer vaccine trial in Oct. 2021.

The study aims to eventually prevent the cancer.

“I wanted it more than anything because I just wanted some type of peace of mind that if this worked then my cancer would not recur and then on the grander scale if this continues to work then there will be no more triple-negative breast cancer and that’s amazing," Davis said.

The trial is still in Phase 1 and the principal investigator, Dr. Tom Budd, said it will be years if not decades before its effectiveness is proven.

“I do want to emphasize this is still experimental," Budd said. "This vaccine is not proven to treat and prevent human breast cancer. Right now, we’re just trying to figure out what dose we should use based on side effects and an immune response. So, that’s where we are now."

Just over a year and a half ago, Davis received three doses of the vaccine two weeks apart.

Early data shows the vaccine produced an immune response in all study participants. 

“You rarely get a 100% success rate in a trial," Davis said. "I mean, I know it’s very early, but it definitely gives me hope and I think a lot of people should be full of hope about that."

Although the research is ongoing, this clinical trial has shifted her perspective. She now envisions a long, healthy, happy life ahead.

“I mean, I used to wake up and if I got a headache I thought the worst, or if I slept wrong on my arm and my arm hurt like I thought I had bone cancer," she said. "Like it was awful, but I don’t do that anymore."