UK researchers develop world's first ovarian cancer vaccine aimed at prevention

Researchers in the UK are developing OvarianVax, the world's first ovarian cancer vaccine. This vaccine aims to train the immune system to recognize and attack early-stage ovarian cancer, potentially preventing the disease in women, including those with BRCA gene mutations. The University of Oxford team, led by Professor Ahmed Ahmed, is identifying proteins on cancer cells to target with the vaccine. They plan to conduct clinical trials with women at high risk and the general population to assess its effectiveness. Currently, there is no screening for ovarian cancer, which is often diagnosed late. The vaccine could offer a preventive option, especially for women with BRCA mutations, who face a significantly higher risk of developing the disease.