At the Cancer Vaccine Institute at UW Medicine (CVI), we are dedicated to ending the most common and deadly cancers through innovative vaccines. Our research over the past two decades has led to the development of vaccines that prevent recurrence, enhance treatment, and intercept cancers before they start. Below is our full vaccine program, which includes vaccine therapies for breast, ovarian, lung, colon, bladder, and prostate cancers and their up-to-date development.

Our work builds on the success of past clinical trials that include:
HER2 ICD breast cancer vaccine — Our HER2+ breast cancer trial has shown that 75-85% of patients with advanced stage breast cancer are still alive 10 years post-vaccination with our HER2 ICD vaccine, with half experiencing no recurrence. (JAMA Oncology Paper)
IGFBP-2 ovarian cancer vaccine — Our IGFBP-2 DNA vaccine trial has shown that nearly half of the patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer are still alive 8 years after vaccination, significantly surpassing the median survival of 18 months, and a third have not had a recurrence. (Clinical Cancer Research Paper)
As 2025 begins, we are proud to share some highlights of our research and clinical advancements in 2024.
CVI’s 2024 By the Numbers:
8 active clinical trials and studies
39 patients enrolled in clinical studies, with an additional 62 in long-term follow-up
6 new trials in various stages of development, including 3 expected to begin patient recruitment in early 2025
We expect to complete recruitment for three phase II clinical trials in the next few months:
WOKVAC vaccine for HER2+ breast cancer — given alongside HER2-targeted therapy and chemotherapy prior to surgery. This study will look at the vaccine’s ability to create cancer-killing immune cells inside the tumor. (NCT04329065)
STEMVAC vaccine for early stage (I-III) triple negative breast cancer — given after patients have completed standard of care treatment. The study will look at the vaccine's safety, its ability to create an anti-cancer immune response, and its ability to prevent cancer recurrence. (NCT05455658)
Anti-PD1 and carboplatin combo therapy for advanced stage ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer — Patients receive therapy after being in complete remission but have elevated CA-125 tumor marker levels without evidence of a recurrence on imaging. (NCT04387227)
Check our complete list of clinical trials actively recruiting patients at the CVI.
We will be opening three new phase II clinical trials for breast cancer in early 2025:
STEMVAC vaccine for metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer — given with either endocrine therapy along with a CDK4/6 inhibitor or receiving capecitabine chemotherapy.
STEMVAC vaccine for metastatic triple negative breast cancer — given with first- or second-line chemotherapy.
STEMVAC vaccine or GM-CSF (randomized) with pembrolizumab and capecitabine chemotherapy for six months for high-risk stage I-III triple negative breast cancer — given to patients who completed standard neoadjuvant therapy
We expect to bring several therapies currently in preclinical development to clinical trials within the next two years:
COLOVAC vaccine for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancers, including Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, expected to go to clinical trials in the next 18 to 24 months
ADVAC vaccine to combat inflammation from fat tissue to prevent breast cancer, reverse metabolic syndrome, and combat fatty liver disease, expected to go to clinical trials in the next 18 to 24 months
Precision probiotics to modify the gut microbiome to create a more favorable immune environment that will enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines and other therapies, expected to go to clinical trials in the next 24 to 36 months