Researchers at the University of Oxford are working on developing the world’s first ovarian cancer vaccine. The vaccine, called OvarianVax, aims to train the immune system to identify and attack the early stages of ovarian cancer. The ultimate goal is to make this vaccine available preventatively through the NHS to potentially eradicate the disease, similar to how the HPV vaccine has been successful in reducing cervical cancer cases.
Professor Ahmed Ahmed and his team are focusing on identifying specific cellular targets for the vaccine. By determining the proteins on the surface of early-stage ovarian cancer cells that are most recognizable by the immune system, they aim to test the vaccine’s effectiveness in killing cancer cells in laboratory models. The next step would be to conduct human clinical trials involving individuals with BRCA gene mutations, who are at a higher risk of ovarian cancer, as well as healthy women.
Cancer Research UK is supporting this study with funding of up to £600,000 over the next three years. Professor Ahmed is optimistic about the potential of this vaccine to completely eliminate ovarian cancer in the future, although there is still a long way to go in the development process. Currently, there is no effective screening test for ovarian cancer, and the symptoms are often vague, leading to late diagnoses.
Individuals with BRCA mutations, like Angelina Jolie, have a significantly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. It is recommended that they undergo preventive measures such as ovary removal, which can lead to early menopause and infertility. The new ovarian cancer vaccine could be particularly beneficial for BRCA mutation carriers, as it may eliminate the need for such drastic preventative surgeries.
With around 7,500 new ovarian cancer cases reported each year in the UK, the development of this vaccine could potentially make a significant impact on the prevention and treatment of the disease. Professor Ahmed is hopeful that targeting the very early cancer cells with the vaccine could lead to successful results, similar to the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine.
While the process of getting the vaccine approved for widespread use may take several years, the positive impact of the vaccine could be visible much sooner. Through clinical trials, researchers aim to start seeing the vaccine’s effects on the healthy population within the next four to five years. The progress being made in developing the first ovarian cancer vaccine brings hope for a future where this deadly disease can be eradicated.