Cancer Vaccines UK
Cancer Vaccines: A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment
Cancer vaccines are one of the most rapidly developing areas of cancer research. From personalised mRNA treatments designed around an individual patient's tumour to experimental vaccines intended to prevent certain cancers altogether, research is now moving into increasingly advanced clinical trials.
CancerVaccinesUK.org follows the science, trials and developments shaping this emerging field, with a particular focus on research and activity in the UK.
Understanding the basics
What is a cancer vaccine?
Cancer vaccines are not all designed to do the same thing. Some aim to prevent cancers from developing, while others are designed to help the immune system recognise and attack cancer that is already present.
Prevent cancer
Some vaccines help prevent infections that can lead to cancer. The HPV vaccine, for example, protects against types of human papillomavirus linked to several cancers.
Treat cancer
Therapeutic cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system so that it can better recognise and attack cancer cells already present in the body.
Personalised vaccines
Some experimental vaccines are created specifically for one patient, using genetic information from their tumour to identify distinctive targets for the immune system.
Most therapeutic and personalised cancer vaccines remain experimental and are currently being studied through clinical trials.
Cancer vaccine trials in the NHS
The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad
Cancer vaccine trials are already taking place within the NHS. The Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad helps identify patients who may be suitable for experimental cancer vaccine and immunotherapy studies and connects them with participating hospitals.
The programme is designed to make it easier for eligible patients receiving NHS cancer treatment in England to be assessed for relevant clinical trials, including personalised mRNA cancer vaccines.
Latest developments
What’s happening now
Cancer vaccine research is moving quickly. Here are three recent developments helping to shape where the field may go next.
Personalised mRNA cancer vaccine succeeds in late-stage melanoma trial
A personalised mRNA vaccine developed for melanoma reduced the risk of the cancer returning in a Phase III clinical trial, marking an important milestone for personalised cancer vaccines.
Read the Nature report →Oxford begins trial of vaccine designed to prevent Lynch syndrome cancers
The INTERCEPT-Lynch study is testing an experimental mRNA vaccine intended to help the immune system recognise and remove abnormal cells before they develop into cancer.
Read the Oxford report →NHS expands cancer vaccine trials to head and neck cancer
More than 100 patients with advanced head and neck cancer are expected to be matched to an experimental mRNA vaccine trial across 15 NHS hospitals in England.
Read the NHS report →Areas of research
Where are cancer vaccines being explored?
Research programmes are investigating cancer vaccines across a growing number of tumour types, using several different approaches to stimulate or direct the immune system.
Personalised vaccines
Melanoma
Personalised mRNA vaccines are among the most advanced therapeutic cancer vaccine approaches, with late-stage clinical studies now producing important results.
NHS trials
Bowel cancer
Personalised cancer vaccines are being studied in patients with colorectal cancer, including through trials linked to the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad.
Therapeutic vaccines
Head and neck cancer
Experimental vaccines are being investigated in people with HPV-associated head and neck cancers, alongside established immunotherapy treatments.
Emerging research
Lung and breast cancer
Research is also expanding into lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer, including personalised and preventative vaccine strategies.
Following the science
Research is moving quickly. Good information matters.
Cancer vaccine research is developing rapidly, but many therapeutic and personalised vaccines remain experimental and are available primarily through clinical trials.
CancerVaccinesUK.org aims to make important developments easier to follow by highlighting research, trials and information from recognised medical, scientific and public-health organisations.
Information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Questions about cancer treatment or participation in a clinical trial should always be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.