Vaccine to help prevent ovarian cancer from coming back
Th17 T cell-inducing vaccines for the prevention of ovarian cancer recurrence
This vaccine trains Th17 immune cells to help women in first remission from high-grade ovarian cancer stay cancer-free after surgery and chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178557 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, I would receive a personalized dendritic cell vaccine that is prepared to stimulate Th17-type immune responses. The team has done laboratory work and is running a Phase II clinical program to give the vaccine to women after debulking surgery and completion of platinum-based chemotherapy. Doctors will monitor my immune response, watch for side effects, and follow whether the cancer returns over time. Vaccine preparation, dosing, and follow-up visits take place at the treating center.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women with high-grade ovarian cancer who are in their first remission after optimal debulking surgery and completed platinum-based adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients with active, progressive disease, those who have not completed standard surgery and chemotherapy, or those with non–high-grade tumors are unlikely to benefit from this vaccine program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could reduce the risk of ovarian cancer coming back and extend the length of remission.
How similar studies have performed: Early-phase dendritic cell vaccines and Th17-focused approaches have generated immune responses in small studies, but clear evidence they prevent recurrence is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knutson, Keith L. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Knutson, Keith L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.