Cancer Vaccine Institute News

The Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) was excited to share new results from a multi-center clinical trial led by Moffitt Cancer Center at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. These results offer encouraging evidence for WOKVAC, a HER2-targeted DNA vaccine developed here at the CVI. In this study, Moffitt and collaborating sites evaluated whether HER2 vaccination could help prevent recurrence in patients at especially high risk, including individuals who still have invas

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the UW Cancer Vaccine Institute shared new research revealing how a unique population of immune cells, shaped in part by the gut microbiome, may influence breast cancer growth and treatment response. Our team’s findings shed light on these immune cells called BAC‑TA T cells, their presence in newly diagnosed patients, and how precision probiotics could one day help shift the immune environment to better fight tumors. Dr. Denise

The UW Cancer Vaccine Institute is excited to share new findings suggesting that a HER2-targeted cancer vaccine may help protect HER2-positive breast cancer patients from developing brain metastases—one of the most difficult complications to treat. Dr. Candace Haghighi presented these findings at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Dr. Candace B. Haghighi at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium The Highlights: HER2-positive breast cancer has a high risk of s

Developing Vaccines to Create a New Standard of Care On October 22, 2025, the Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) at UW Medicine welcomed patients, advocates, researchers, and community members to DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, WA for an evening of connection and discovery. “Changing the Course of Ovarian Cancer” highlighted how cancer vaccines, once considered aspirational, are now changing lives and redefining what’s possible in cancer care. Driving a New Standard of Care The e

At the Cancer Vaccine Institute, we are proud to share a major milestone in our mission to develop safe and effective scalable cancer...