World's first vaccine for ovarian cancer could 'wipe out the disease' in major breakthrough

Researchers hope it could be administered preventatively on the NHS to eliminate the disease.

Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries - the two small oval-shaped organs that are part of the female reproductive system.

Symptoms include bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, persistent pelvic or abdominal pain and difficulty eating or feeling full after eating a small amount.

The cancer affects around 7,500 women in the UK annually, with just over a third surviving for 10 years after diagnosis.

Approximately 4,100 women die from the disease each year in Britain.

Scientists say the innovative treatment could put an end to this statistic.

The vaccine's development is being led by Professor Ahmed Ahmed, director of the ovarian cancer cell laboratory at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine.

His team is working to identify cellular targets for the vaccine by determining which proteins on early-stage ovarian cancer cells are most strongly recognised by the immune system.

They will then test the vaccine's effectiveness in killing mini-models of ovarian cancer in the laboratory.

The next phase will involve human clinical trials, focusing on individuals with BRCA gene mutations who are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Cancer Research UK is funding the study with up to £600,000 over the next three years.

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Professor Ahmed expressed optimism about the project, stating that if successful, he expects to see an impact within the next five years.

The vaccine could potentially benefit women with BRCA mutations, who currently face a 45% risk of developing ovarian cancer by age 80 if they carry the BRCA1 gene alteration.

The new vaccine could work similarly to the human papillomavirus (HPV) jab, which has shown remarkable success in reducing cervical cancer rates.

Scientists will create the vaccine in the lab, aiming to train the immune system to recognise over 100 proteins on the surface of ovarian cancer cells.

These proteins are known as tumour-associated antigens.

After laboratory development, researchers will move to testing the vaccine in patients with ovarian cancer.

Professor Ahmed explained: "The idea is, if you give the vaccine, these tiny tumours will hopefully either reduce, shrink really significantly, or disappear. That would give us the sign that the vaccine is working."

If successful, the next stage would involve testing the vaccine on women with BRCA mutations and the wider general population.

This approach could potentially benefit BRCA mutation carriers, who currently face difficult decisions about preventative surgery.

Almost 45 per cent of people with an altered BRCA1 gene and 20% with an altered BRCA2 gene develop ovarian cancer by age 80.

At present, these women are advised to have their ovaries removed by age 35, leading to early menopause and loss of fertility.

The vaccine could offer an alternative to this drastic measure.

Professor Ahmed remains optimistic about the vaccine's potential, noting: "I am optimistic because we are talking about preventing the very first few cancer cells that develop - and not trying to cure or treat or prevent the tumour coming back."

Asked if ovarian cancer could be wiped out with the new vaccine, he said: “Absolutely – that would be the aim. We still have a long way to go but it is a really exciting time. I’m very optimistic myself.”