This project builds upon the study team’s previous work – funded by Ovarian Cancer Canada and others – on the development of an “off-the-shelf” RNA vaccine for ovarian cancer.

Their objective is to design a vaccine that maximizes the immune response against ovarian cancer-specific antigens. The question of immunogenicity (whether an antigen causes an immune response) is paramount in cancer immunotherapy, particularly given that patients’ immune functions may be compromised by age and prior chemotherapy treatments.

The study team has demonstrated in humans that the presentation of antigens to immune cells depends on the molecular environment of the antigens (e.g., the flanking regions). Furthermore, they have shown in mice that changing the composition of antigen-flanking regions in an RNA vaccine dramatically impacts the strength of the anti-tumor immune response.

This project aims to identify and optimize the most effective flanking sequences for an anti-ovarian cancer RNA vaccine. Industry partner Epitopea is prepared to launch a Phase I clinical trial upon completion of this project.