top of page

The Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) at the University of Washington is a community of scientists, doctors, nurses, patients, and philanthropists leading a revolutionary effort in the fight against cancer. We are developing safe and effective vaccines to treat and prevent some of the most common and deadly cancers patients face today. 


We have developed safe and effective vaccines to treat and prevent the cancers that cause 50% of cancer deaths. We currently have vaccines to treat and prevent cancer and/or its recurrence for breast, ovarian, colon, lung, bladder, and prostate cancer.


We’ve disrupted the traditional lab model by connecting the early discovery, translational research, and clinical trials under one roof. This approach brings our ground-breaking cancer immunology research out of the lab and into the lives of cancer patients faster, more efficiently, and with greater success.

Igniting the Immune System to End Cancer

Anchor 1

Disruptive & Fearless

The CVI is leading the way in the development of vaccines to treat and prevent cancer. We are the largest institution that is solely focused on cancer vaccines that prevent the diseases from occurring, complement existing treatments, and help prevent the disease from returning. We have been advancing this research for more than 20 years.

Precision Collaboration

Truly Life-Changing Results

We’ve assembled an unrivaled team of multidisciplinary scientists, medical professionals, and patients to turn our cutting-edge cancer immunology research into effective treatments for some of today’s most common and devastating types of cancer.

Activating the immune system with vaccines is the best and only tool for completely eliminating cancer at the single-cell level. Our clinical trial results for breast and ovarian cancer show the vaccines are safe and patients with advanced stage disease are alive and living their lives almost 10 years after vaccination.

$27 M

In grant funding

over the past 5 years

30

Phase I and Phase II

clinical trials

250+

Scientific publications

15

Patents,

+ 8 more pending

IMG_4977_gold_crop2.webp

For Patients

We’re some of the foremost experts in the world today, and we’re creating a reality in which cancer is proactively prevented and successfully cured. Our work focuses on cancers that have a major impact on communities today, and we have many clinical trials underway.

Our Research

We're one of the largest academic labs in the US, focused on developing multi-antigenic vaccines and other immune therapies. Our multidisciplinary team has over 35 members — trailblazers in their respective scientific and medical fields — uniquely focused on early discovery, translational research, and clinical trials, all under one roof.

Join Us

Together, we are outsmarting cancer. Though research has brought us advancements that have truly improved patients' lives, the number one limitation is funding. While our research would not be possible without grants, your support accelerates our creativity and innovation.

2024 November - Nora in lab.png

Leaders in the Field

20 years ago, Dr. Nora Disis had the groundbreaking idea that it’s possible to harness the immune system to identify, treat, and heal cancer — just like it would to fight off an infection. 


Today, the Cancer Vaccine Institute at University of Washington Medicine in Seattle, WA, is one of the few organizations tackling all three phases of the scientific process: early discovery, translational research, and clinical trial. 


Within 10 years, we expect that vaccines will be broadly available — revolutionizing the way we treat and prevent cancers.

bottom of page