Pharmaceutical company GSK and Oxford University are teaming up to devise a groundbreaking cancer vaccine poised to stop the disease from developing in the first place. The ambition lies in crafting a vaccine or multiple vaccines that focus on cells in their pre-cancerous phase, effectively halting the disease before it gains a foothold within the body.
The University of Oxford boasts unparalleled expertise in the realm of pre-cancer biology, including the identification and sequencing of neoantigens, which emerge on cancer cells as potential drug targets. Success stories are already emerging from various pharmaceutical companies with vaccines capable of preventing the recurrence of cancer in patients with existing malignancies.
Leading the charge for the new GSK-Oxford Cancer Immuno-Prevention Programme is Professor Sarah Blagden from the University of Oxford, supported by a substantial £50 million investment from GSK. Sharing her insights on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: “Cancer does not sort of come from nowhere.
“You always imagine it would take about a year or two years to develop in your body but, in fact, we now know that cancers can take up to 20 years, sometimes even more, to develop – as a normal cell transitions to become cancerous.
“We know that, actually at that point, most cancers are invisible when they are going through this, what we now call pre-cancer stage. And so the purpose of the vaccine is not to vaccinate against established cancer, but to actually vaccinate against that pre-cancer stage.”
She said that Oxford had expertise in the pre-cancerous changes “so we can actually now start to sort of be able to detect the undetectable”. She added that experts have “been able to work out what features those cells have as they’re transitioning towards cancer, and so we can design a vaccine specifically targeted against that: “In this case, we’re actually going for the cancer itself, but going at it at the pre-cancer stage.”
Tony Wood, chief scientific officer at GSK, said: “We’re pleased to further strengthen our relationship with Oxford University and to combine the deep knowledge of Oxford and GSK scientists. By exploring pre-cancer biology and building on GSK’s expertise in the science of the immune system, we aim to generate key insights for people at risk of developing cancer.”
Professor Irene Tracey, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, added: “This partnership represents a step forward in cancer research. By working with GSK to unite experts in clinical trials, immuno-oncology, vaccinology and pre-cancer research from across the University of Oxford, we aim to unlock the potential of cancer vaccines and bring hope to patients worldwide.”
Secretary for Science and Technology Peter Kyle said: “Cancer is a disease that has brought pain and heartbreak to every family in the country, including my own. But through our world-leading universities and businesses working in lockstep, like Oxford and GSK are doing here, we can harness science and innovation to transform what’s possible when it comes to diagnosing and treating this disease.”
Back in 2021, Oxford and GSK joined forces to create the Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine, with a focus on accelerating the discovery and development of novel treatments.
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