Cancer Research UK funds development of world’s first ovarian cancer prevention vaccine
Cancer Research UK has announced funding of up to £600,000 for a groundbreaking project aimed at developing the world’s first ovarian cancer prevention vaccine. The initiative, led by Professor Ahmed Ahmed at the University of Oxford, seeks to leverage recent advancements in immunology and cancer biology to create a vaccine that could potentially prevent ovarian cancer before it develops.
Ovarian cancer remains a significant health concern, with approximately 7,500 new cases diagnosed annually in the UK. The disease is particularly challenging due to the lack of effective screening programmes and the limited options available for women at high risk.
Currently, women with inherited alterations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes face a substantially increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
For these individuals, the primary preventive measure is the surgical removal of the ovaries by age 35. This approach, while effective in reducing cancer risk, comes at the cost of fertility and triggers early menopause.
The OvarianVax project
The newly funded research, dubbed OvarianVax, aims to establish the foundational elements necessary for creating an effective ovarian cancer vaccine. The team will focus on identifying specific proteins on the surface of early-stage ovarian cancer cells that are most readily recognised by the immune system.
Prof. Ahmed, Director of the Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and lead investigator for OvarianVax, explained the project’s significance: “Teaching the immune system
to recognise the very early signs of cancer is a tough challenge. But we now have highly sophisticated tools which give us real insights into how the immune system recognises ovarian cancer.”
Vaccine development strategy
The research builds upon previous work by Prof. Ahmed’s team, which demonstrated that immune cells from ovarian cancer patients retain a “memory” of the tumour. Leveraging this finding, the scientists plan to train the immune system to recognise over 100 proteins, known as tumour-associated antigens, found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells.
A key aspect of the research involves using tissue samples from the ovaries and fallopian tubes of individuals with ovarian cancer to recreate early-stage cancer models. These models will be crucial in identifying which antigens most effectively trigger an immune response capable of recognising and eliminating precancerous cells.
Testing efficacy and safety
To evaluate the potential vaccine’s effectiveness, the researchers will employ organoids – miniature, three-dimensional tissue cultures that mimic the complexity of ovarian cancer. These organoids will serve as a platform for testing how well the vaccine-induced immune response can target and destroy early-stage cancer cells.
The OvarianVax project emphasises the importance of patient and public involvement. The research team will work closely with representatives to address crucial questions about vaccine administration, eligibility, and potential uptake. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the vaccine, if successful, can be effectively implemented and reach those who would benefit most.
Long-term implications and challenges
While the development of an ovarian cancer prevention vaccine represents a significant step forward, it is important to note that the path from laboratory research to clinical application is lengthy and complex. The current funding supports the initial stages of vaccine development, with successful outcomes potentially leading to clinical trials in the future.
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, highlighted the project’s potential impact: “Projects like OvarianVax are a really important step forward into an exciting future, where cancer is much more preventable. This funding will power crucial discoveries in the lab which will realise our ambitions to improve ovarian cancer survival.”
The OvarianVax project represents a shift in cancer research focus, moving from treatment to prevention. This approach aligns with Cancer Research UK’s prevention research strategy, which aims to translate laboratory discoveries into precise methods for cancer prevention.
Professor Ahmed Ahmed, Director of the Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and lead investigator for OvarianVax
