Funding Secured for The First Vaccine Against Ovarian Cancer

Oxford researchers have secured up to US$730,000 in funding to develop OvarianVax, the first vaccine designed to prevent ovarian cancer, details an official press release. The vaccine aims to teach the immune system to recognize and attack early-stage ovarian cancer cells, offering a potential alternative to preventative surgery for women at high risk. If successful, OvarianVax could pave the way for clinical trials and revolutionize ovarian cancer prevention, marking a significant advance in cancer research and women's health.

The three-year study, funded by Cancer Research UK, aims to teach the immune system to detect and attack the earliest signs of ovarian cancer, which often goes undetected until it has progressed significantly, highlights the Cancer Research Institute. Early symptoms like bloating, constipation, and gas are often mistaken for digestive issues, leading to delayed diagnosis. In fact, only about 20% of ovarian cancers are caught before spreading beyond the ovaries. Currently, there are no effective screening tests for early detection, underscoring the urgent need for new preventive strategies like the OvarianVax vaccine.

According to the university’s press release, the vaccine will target specific proteins, known as tumor-associated antigens, located on the surface of early-stage ovarian cancer cells. Researchers will investigate which of these proteins can effectively stimulate the immune system to identify and eliminate cancer cells. If successful, the vaccine could advance to clinical trials, potentially increasing its potential availability to women, particularly those carrying genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2, who are at heightened risk for ovarian cancer. 

Women with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have an elevated risk of developing ovarian cancer because these genes play a crucial role in repairing damaged DNA. When mutated, these genes hinder the body’s ability to correct DNA errors, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and an increased likelihood of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 39% to 58% of women with a harmful BRCA1 mutation and 13% to 29% of those with a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop ovarian cancer, including cancers of the fallopian tubes and the lining of the abdominal cavity, during their lifetime. In comparison, only about 1.1% of women in the general population without these mutations will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime.

Ahmed Ahmed, Director of the Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, University of Oxford, emphasized the need for improved prevention strategies, stating: "We need better strategies to prevent ovarian cancer. Currently, women with BRCA1/2 mutations, who are at very high risk, are offered surgery which prevents cancer but robs them of the chance to have children afterwards." He noted that the vaccine holds particular promise for women with these mutations, who are currently advised to undergo ovarian removal by age 35, a procedure that results in infertility and early menopause.

"OvarianVax builds on the exciting developments in vaccine technology during the pandemic. This is one of many projects which we hope will give women longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer," said Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK.

While it may take years for OvarianVax to become widely available, this funding marks a significant step forward in ovarian cancer prevention. The project is part of Cancer Research UK's broader prevention strategy, which aims to leverage scientific discoveries to prevent cancer more effectively.