Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Treatment

A groundbreaking $500,000 grant from the Cancer Vaccine Coalition is set to expand access to a promising Phase 2 clinical trial testing a therapeutic breast cancer vaccine. This initiative, aimed at modernizing cancer treatments, marks the kickoff of multiple grants intended to propel cancer research forward.

WOKVAC: A Game-Changer in Cancer Vaccines

This funding boost will facilitate the University of Washington School of Medicine’s clinical trial of WOKVAC, an advanced vaccine designed to ward off breast cancer recurrence and enhance patient outcomes. WOKVAC has already showcased a strong safety profile and an encouraging immune response in early-stage HER2+ breast cancer patients.

Empowering the Immune System Against Cancer

According to Dr. Nora Disis, a leading expert in the field and director of the Cancer Vaccine Institute, "These cancer vaccines are real and at a tipping point. This financial injection brings us closer to harnessing our immune systems to fight cancer effectively.”

A Bold New Strategy

The clinical trial is uniquely structured, administering the WOKVAC vaccine alongside chemotherapy and targeted therapies for patients with stage 1, 2, or 3 HER2+ breast cancer before their tumor removal surgery. Principal investigator Dr. Will Gwin highlights a dual purpose: maximizing the immune system’s ability to combat cancer during treatment and fostering long-lasting immunity to prevent recurrence.

Joining Forces for Change

Kristen Dahlgren, a breast cancer survivor and advocate, launched the Cancer Vaccine Coalition to expedite the development of promising cancer vaccines. "Today is a monumental step towards delivering less toxic, more effective treatments to patients. This grant will help answer crucial questions and push cancer vaccines closer to approval,” she stated.

Collaborative Efforts Make Waves

The fund is a part of the V Foundation's commitment to innovative immunotherapy research, supported by a $2 million matching grant from the Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation. Susanna Greer, chief scientific officer at the V Foundation, emphasized the significance of this research: "The expertise at UW and Fred Hutch can ignite discoveries that will impact the entire cancer research community for generations.”

The Growing Breast Cancer Challenge

With over 280,000 diagnoses annually, breast cancer remains a pressing health issue, especially the aggressive HER2-positive subtype. WOKVAC aims to outsmart this challenge by targeting the HER2 protein and additional cancer markers, creating a comprehensive multi-antigen vaccine that boosts tumor-specific immunity.

Patient Perspectives: A Beacon of Hope

"Getting WOKVAC alongside my treatment felt like added protection—hope grounded in science,” said Carmel Laurino, a 40-year-old breast cancer survivor involved in the WOKVAC trial. "I’m grateful for this trial and want others to experience the same chance. A safe, scalable, and affordable vaccine could save lives and livelihoods. With expanded resources, we’re closer to achieving this future for all patients.”