Leading NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre researchers will play a key role in a major new collaboration between the University of Oxford and global biopharma company GSK to advance the understanding of how cancer develops, which could inform future development of vaccines to prevent cancer.
The £50 million GSK-Oxford Cancer Immuno-Prevention Programme leverages the complementary expertise of GSK and Oxford in the science of the immune system, vaccine development and cancer biology.
It is hoped that the insights generated through the programme into how cancer develops could inform new approaches to vaccination for cancer prevention, offering fresh hope in the fight against the disease.
The programme – which will be led by Professor Sarah Blagden in Oxford’s Department of Oncology, alongside Dr Timothy Clay and Dr Ramon Kemp at GSK – unites expertise from four departments at the University and builds on Oxford’s exceptional track record in vaccine development.
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said: “This partnership represents a step forward in cancer research. By working with GSK to unite experts in clinical trials, immuno-oncology, vaccinology and pre-cancer research from across the University of Oxford, we aim to unlock the potential of cancer vaccines and bring hope to patients worldwide.”
Professor Blagden added: “We are delighted to be collaborating with GSK in this important area of research, making sure that Oxford’s fantastic science benefits patients as quickly as possible. Working together, we will greatly accelerate translational research that could lead to the development of vaccines to prevent cancer in the future.”
Three Oxford BRC-supported researchers will be Associate Directors of the new partnership: Professor Tim Elliott, (the BRC’s Co-theme Lead for Cancer), Professor Ellie Barnes (BRC So-theme Lead for Vaccines) and Professor Simon Leedham (of the BRC’s Genomic Medicine Theme.
Evidence now shows that most cancers take years or even decades to develop, starting from normal cells to precancerous cells to cancer. Oxford has world-leading expertise in the study of precancer biology including the sequencing of neoantigens, or tumour-specific proteins that prompt the immune system to recognise cancer.
This unique focus could help target the vulnerabilities of precancerous cells through an active intervention like a vaccine or targeted medicine to prevent them from progressing to cancer.