Ovarian Cancer Vax: a Shot at Prevention
Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cancer in females in the UK, accounting for 7,500 new cases every year. Unfortunately, there are 4,100 ovarian cancer deaths in the UK annually. However, with 11% of these ovarian cancer cases being preventable, there is hope for reducing this number and improving the mortality rate.
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BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes responsible for producing proteins to repair damaged DNA. They are tumour suppressor genes whose mutations significantly increase the likelihood of developing certain malignancies, specifically ovarian cancer. About 39%–58% of women who inherit a harmful change in BRCA1, and 13%–29% of women who inherit a harmful change in BRCA2 will develop ovarian cancer during their lifetime.
With no screening tests or reliable methods available for detecting ovarian cancer, it can be difficult to identify ovarian cancer. With symptoms like bloating and no appetite, which can be commonly associated with many other less significant issues, many woman find it challenging to determine whether their symptoms could lead to something more serious.
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A research team from Oxford University, led by Professor Ahmed, has been awarded £600,000 from Cancer Research UK to support their design of OvarianVax- a vaccine hoping to prevent the onset of ovarian cancer.
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In the laboratory, they have investigated which proteins and tumour-associated antigens are found on the surface of ovarian cancer, and how our immune response works in recognising them. They will then investigate how effectively our immune system is able to target the organoids of ovarian cancer- which are smaller, more simplified versions of an organ to mimic organ function accurately.
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Professor Ahmed, who is leading the team, stated 'We need better strategies to prevent ovarian cancer. Currently, women with BRCA1/2 mutations, who are at very high risk, are offered surgery which prevents cancer but robs them of the chance to have children afterwards. At the same time, many other cases of ovarian cancer aren’t picked up until they are in a much later stage.’
Though this research is in the early stages, it shows great promise in its potential in preventing ovarian cancer, not only for BRCA1/BRCA 2 carriers, but in all women. If this research proves successful, clinical work will begin to make the vaccine accessible to all.
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References:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62d5lg9ykzo
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening