KING 5 Highlights CVI’s Progress Toward COLOVAC - A Colon Cancer Prevention Vaccine
- Sarah White
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Last week, KING 5 News featured ongoing research at the Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) to develop COLOVAC, a preventive vaccine designed to stop colon cancer before it starts. The segment included interviews with CVI Director Dr. Nora Disis and Becky Bruhn, a Seattle resident whose recent cancerous polyp illustrates the importance of early detection and need for new prevention tools.
Colon cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States, and rates are rising among adults under 55. For many people, cancer is detected only after a polyp has already begun to change. COLOVAC aims to intervene much earlier by activating the immune system to recognize and eliminate abnormal cells before they progress to cancer.
The vaccine is based on extensive research analyzing thousands of patient samples to identify proteins that appear in precancerous polyps and colon tumors. These targets are encoded into a DNA‑based vaccine designed to stimulate an immune response against early disease. In preclinical studies, COLOVAC has reduced intestinal and colon polyps in mouse models, an important step as the team prepares for FDA‑required safety studies.
COLOVAC may be especially valuable for individuals at elevated risk, including those with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), Lynch Syndrome, or a history of high‑risk polyps. The first human clinical trial is anticipated within the next three years.
The KING 5 feature highlighted both the scientific rationale behind COLOVAC and the lived experiences of patients like Becky, who shared her perspective on early detection and the importance of advancing new prevention strategies.
Read and watch the KING 5 News feature here.
Learn more about the science behind COLOVAC: https://www.uwcvi.org/post/colon-cancer-demands-action-colovac-could-be-the-answer
Dr. Disis Headshot Credits: Lisa Stromme Warren
