Oxford Researchers Receive Funding for Ovarian Cancer Vaccine

Researchers at the University of Oxford have secured up to £600,000 in funding from Cancer Research UK to develop the world’s first vaccine aimed at preventing ovarian cancer. Named OvarianVax, the vaccine is designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack the earliest signs of ovarian cancer, offering a potentially life-changing alternative for high-risk women.

Over the next three years, the funding will support laboratory research to identify the most effective targets for the vaccine. The team will study proteins on the surface of early-stage ovarian cancer cells, known as tumor-associated antigens, to determine which ones are most strongly recognized by the immune system. Using cutting-edge tools, they will test the vaccine’s ability to eliminate mini-models of ovarian cancer called organoids.

If successful, this work will pave the way for clinical trials, bringing the vaccine closer to being a viable prevention strategy for ovarian cancer. The ultimate vision is to offer women—especially those at high genetic risk—a safe, effective way to reduce their cancer risk without invasive surgeries.

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women, with around 7,500 new cases diagnosed annually in the UK. There is currently no screening program for ovarian cancer, and the disease is often detected at later, harder-to-treat stages.

Women with inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are at significantly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer—up to 65% and 35% higher, respectively. For these women, preventive surgery to remove their ovaries is the primary option, often before the age of 35. While effective, this approach has severe consequences, including infertility and early menopause.

While it may take years for the vaccine to become widely available, the OvarianVax project marks a major milestone in cancer prevention research.

OvarianVax is part of Cancer Research UK’s prevention research strategy, which leverages scientific advancements to develop innovative cancer prevention methods. Drawing on the success of vaccine technology seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, OvarianVax showcases how these breakthroughs can revolutionize cancer prevention, offering hope to thousands of women at risk.