Stage II Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Chase's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Chase Johnson was 36 when her dog, Cato, helped draw attention to a breast lump. In 2021, after Cato repeatedly acted anxious around her and pressed his snout against the side of her breast, Chase checked the area and found the lump that led to a Stage IIB triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. She had no family history of breast cancer. Treatment near her home in North Carolina took about a year and included intensive chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and a final course of oral chemotherapy. After completing standard treatment and remaining tumor-free, Chase searched for ways to reduce the chance of recurrence. She learned about a Phase I Cleveland Clinic clinical trial testing an investigational vaccine for triple-negative breast cancer. The vaccine was designed to target alpha-lactalbumin, a protein often expressed in triple-negative breast cancers. Six months after finishing oral chemotherapy, Chase became eligible for the Phase Ia portion of the trial. She traveled to Cleveland Clinic for pre-trial assessments, follow-up scans, and 3 bi-weekly injections. She had no significant side effects, and testing showed the vaccine triggered an immune response. As of January 2026, Chase had shown no evidence of cancer for nearly 5 years and continued regular scans and blood tests while hoping the research could help prevent recurrence for others.