Cancer Vaccine Institute - University of Washington

11/03/2026

Cancer vaccines are no longer a distant dream. They’re becoming a reality - and the Cancer Vaccine Institute is proud to help lead that conversation.

Dr. Kiran Dhillon, Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) Executive Director, co‑authored a new JAMA Oncology Viewpoint with Dr. Lennard Lee of the University of Oxford, outlining why the time for cancer vaccines is now, and what it will take to ensure patients benefit from this progress.

At the CVI, we’re proud to drive cancer vaccine research and innovation. Encouraging clinical trial results, combined with the rise of cutting-edge technologies, make cancer vaccines within reach.

Patients are calling for action now - and we’re ready to answer.

Read the full article here: https://www.uwcvi.org/post/dr-kiran-dhillon-highlights-cancer-vaccine-urgency-in-jama-oncology-viewpoint

10/03/2026

Imagine a vaccine that can stop colon cancer before it starts.

That’s the vision behind COLOVAC, our colon cancer vaccine in development. It teaches the immune system to recognize the earliest signs of colon cancer and eliminate those cells before they have a chance to grow. COLOVAC represents a shift from reacting to cancer to intercepting it.

We’re excited to share more about how it works and who it could help. Follow along to learn more about COLOVAC.

07/03/2026

Some people face a higher risk of colorectal cancer because of inherited genetic mutations, such as those seen in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Lynch Syndrome. These individuals have a significantly increased likelihood of developing cancer, often at younger ages.

Understanding these risks is essential. Awareness helps families recognize patterns, ask informed questions, and engage with their healthcare teams in ways that support early detection and prevention.

When colorectal cancer is found early, survival rates are high, around 90%, underscoring the power of catching disease before it advances.

At the Cancer Vaccine Institute, we’re working toward a future where risk doesn’t have to become reality by developing vaccines designed to intercept cancer at its earliest stages or prevent it altogether.

04/03/2026

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Colorectal cancer is on the rise, and it’s affecting younger adults more than ever before: cases in younger adults have been increasing by about 3% every year for the past two decades. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in Americans under 50.

This month, we invite patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to raise awareness and share their stories.

Intercepting cancer early saves lives. Let’s talk about prevention, screening, and care.

02/03/2026

At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, our team shared exciting research comparing two HER2-targeted cancer vaccines developed at the Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI).

HER2 peptide vaccines introduce finite amounts of HER2 peptides, or protein fragments, to stimulate an anti-cancer immune response. In contrast, our HER2 ICD DNA vaccine delivers a DNA plasmid that instructs the patient’s cells to produce HER2 fragments for a longer period of time, generating a more sustained immune response

The HER2 ICD DNA vaccine produced stronger, more consistent, and more comprehensive immune action, showing how CVI DNA vaccines are charting a new future for cancer treatment and prevention.

Read more about this study here: https://www.uwcvi.org/post/dna-based-her2-vaccine-has-stronger-anti-cancer-immune-response-compared-to-her2-peptide-vaccines

27/02/2026

A new multi-center clinical trial, led by the Moffitt Cancer Center, found that our HER2-targeted vaccine, WOKVAC, resulted in low recurrence rates in high-risk HER2+ breast cancer. Our results suggest that adding WOKVAC to existing cancer therapies may further reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, prompting more studies.

Read more about our vaccine here: https://www.uwcvi.org/post/cvi-s-wokvac-a-her2-directed-vaccine-shows-promising-results-in-multicenter-clinical-trial

25/02/2026

The Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) is now accepting applications for the Research Coordinator 3 position to help lead and advance our immunotherapy clinical trials.

In this pivotal role, you’ll work closely with the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, Research Managers, Research Coordinators, and lab-based experts who specialize in translational immunotherapy research to ensure our cancer trials run safely and efficiently. This position also offers an opportunity to mentor junior coordinators.

We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has a keen eye for detail, and can communicate effectively with patients, clinicians, and scientific teams. The Research Coordinator 3 position requires operational knowledge of the University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Center, understanding of medical oncology, and expert knowledge of research and regulatory operations.

If you or someone you know is looking for an opportunity to advance immunotherapy trials, we invite you to apply here: https://wd5.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/uw/UWHires/job/Seattle-WA/Research-Coordinator-3--E-S-UAW-Research-_REQ-0000129040

Join us in shaping the future of cancer treatment.

24/02/2026

The Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI) is proud to share our 2025 Year in Review.

Over the past year, our team advanced multiple clinical trials, moved vaccines in our preclinical pipeline forward, and shared our research with the community. These efforts have brought us closer to better options for patients.

We are especially grateful to you, our patients, scientists, clinicians, collaborators, staff, faculty, and supporters. Your ongoing partnership and scientific leadership accelerates real progress in the field.

We invite you to explore our full newsletter and connect with us as we build on this momentum in the year ahead. Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/f1e9b3bb9637/2025-year-in-review-at-the-cvi-10596909

05/02/2026

New research from the UW Cancer Vaccine Institute reveals a surprising connection between the gut microbiome and breast cancer - and how a precision probiotic could help strengthen the immune response.

Learn more about this study here: https://www.uwcvi.org/post/gut-bacteria-may-shape-immune-responses-in-breast-cancer

03/02/2026

We were so grateful for the opportunity to present exciting results at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium!

Brain metastases are a major problem for patients with advanced stage HER2+ breast cancer and are notoriously hard to treat because few therapies can transcend the brain’s protective barrier. We know cancer-killing immune cells, like those created by cancer vaccines, can get into the brain. We analyzed four of our clinical trials within the past five years to see if our HER2-targeted cancer vaccines reduced brain metastases in patients with advanced-stage HER2+ breast cancer.

This study found a 57% reduction in brain metastases in HER2+/hormone-receptor–negative patients and a 17% reduction in brain metastases for HER2+/hormone-receptor–positive patients.

These encouraging findings will serve as the basis for the launch of a new Phase II clinical trial to test this question formally.

Read more about the study here: https://www.uwcvi.org/post/her2-directed-vaccines-may-reduce-risk-of-brain-metastases-in-patients-with-her2-metastatic-breast

19/12/2025

We want to give a special thank you to In Concert for Cancer! Michele Abrams and Jeff Christensen presented a $75,000 check to the CVI on December 16th. Thank you for spreading your love for music and passion for ending cancer with the community! Your gift will directly advance cancer vaccine research, creating hope and a brighter future for patients and their families.

In Concert for Cancer is a nonprofit that brings music and people together, helping to fund life-changing research, treatments, and patient programs---including the CVI and Seattle Children's Hospital. We are so grateful to have been chosen by In Concert for Cancer as a recipient!

17/12/2025

✨ We are deeply grateful to patients like Kim Czepiga, whose courage and partnership fuel the Cancer Vaccine Institute’s mission!

Stories like Kim’s inspire our work to transform the standard of cancer treatment and prevention through vaccines. With every breakthrough, we move closer to a future where cancer is no longer a devastating diagnosis but a disease we can prevent.

💙 Together, we can create a cancer‑free future.

Your gift helps accelerate this vision:

The Cancer Vaccine Institute at UW Medicine is harnessing the immune system to treat and prevent cancer.