From prevention to treatment: The promise of cancer vaccines

December 19, 2025

Medical Research Laboratory: Portrait of a Beautiful Female Scientist in Goggles Using Micro Pipette for Test Analysis. Advanced Scientific Lab for Medicine, Biotechnology, Microbiology Development — image: ©gorodenkoff| iStock

Dr Catherine Elliott, Director of Research & Partnerships at Cancer Research UK, explores how advances in vaccine science could usher in a new era of cancer prevention and treatment, from HPV to the world’s first experimental lung cancer vaccine

Nearly 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and for decades, researchers have worked tirelessly to find new ways to prevent and treat the disease⁽¹⁾. Today, we stand at the threshold of a new era where vaccines, traditionally used to protect against infectious diseases, could transform cancer care.

Advances in immunology, genomics and vaccine technology mean we now have the potential to train the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells, either before or after they develop into an established cancer.

How vaccine science is transforming cancer prevention

The idea of using vaccines to tackle cancer is not new, but the scientific tools available today are far more sophisticated than they were even a decade ago. The success of the COVID-19 vaccine development accelerated progress dramatically, enabling researchers to design and test cancer vaccines with greater speed and precision. As a result, the UK is now one of the most active hubs for cancer vaccine research.

We already have evidence to show that vaccines can change cancer outcomes by eliminating virus infections that cause some cancers. Research part-funded by Cancer Research UK contributed to the development of the HPV vaccine, which has proven to dramatically reduce cervical cancer rates in the UK. A study funded by us, showed that in women who were offered the vaccine at age 12-13, cervical cancer rates have reduced by almost 90%⁽²⁾. This success shows how powerful early intervention can be, and it suggests that similar approaches could be applied to other cancers if we identify the right targets.

LungVax: The World’s first experimental lung cancer vaccine

The latest, most promising development is LungVax, the world’s first experimental vaccine designed to prevent lung cancer. Lung cancer remains one of the UK’s most common cancers, and although stopping smoking remains the most effective way to reduce risk, many people continue to face a higher chance of developing the disease⁽³⁾. In November, we awarded up to £2.06 million, with the support of the CRIS Cancer Foundation, to researchers at the University of Oxford and University College London to run the first clinical trial of this pioneering vaccine.

The phase 1 trial, expected to begin in Summer 2026, will involve people who have had early-stage lung cancer removed but remain at risk of it returning, as well as people taking part in the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme.

LungVax uses technology developed at the University of Oxford for the lifesaving Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Instead of targeting a virus, it delivers genetic instructions that help the immune system recognise specific proteins that appear on the surface of abnormal lung cells. These changes occur at a very early stage of disease, and the aim is to trigger the immune system to identify and clear these cells before cancer can develop.

It is still early days, but the approach represents a thoughtful and carefully-grounded step toward improving prevention in a cancer where we have seen limited progress on improving outcomes for many years.

LungVax sits within a wider wave of research into preventative cancer vaccines. At Cancer Research UK we are also supporting efforts to explore vaccines for cancers linked to inherited conditions, such as Lynch syndrome, and for cancers like ovarian cancer, where early detection and prevention remain particularly challenging. Each of these projects offers a different route towards reducing the number of people diagnosed with cancer in the future.

From clinical trials to future care: Building trust and impact

Alongside prevention, therapeutic cancer vaccines — designed to support the immune system in recognising and attacking established tumours — are progressing through clinical trials. The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad is helping expand access to these studies across England, making it easier for eligible patients to take part in cutting-edge research. These vaccines are often used alongside other treatments, including surgery and immunotherapies. Early findings internationally suggest they may become an important addition to future treatment pathways.

As with any emerging area of science, there is still much to learn. Developing vaccines requires careful, long-term research and rigorous clinical testing. For preventative vaccines, it is also important that we build public trust through clear communication, as they may be offered to people who are healthy but at higher risk of cancer. Ensuring that people understand why these vaccines matter and how they work alongside existing prevention approaches will be an essential part of their future success.

Cancer Research UK remains committed to backing the most ambitious and impactful research, helping to bring forward new approaches that could transform how cancer is prevented and treated. Cancer vaccines will not replace established methods such as screening or smoking cessation, but they could offer a powerful new layer of protection. With continued collaboration and investment, today’s advances could become tomorrow’s routine care, moving us closer to a future where more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.