Cancer Vaccine Institute - University of Washington

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.

11/12/2025

Thank you The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for your support of our work on ADVAC - a vaccine designed to prevent breast cancer and other diseases caused by obesity-associated inflammation! The vaccine targets many proteins found in inflammatory fat and when given to mice, prevents breast cancer and reverses signs of metabolic syndrome (diabetes). BCRF support is helping finalize the DNA vaccine construct and to safety testing in preparation for a Phase I human clinical trial in the next few years.

Check out this story by Fred Hutch's Diane Mapes to read more about BCRF support for CVI's Dr. Disis and other colleagues at UW Medicine and Fred Hutch!

Seven scientists with the Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium received another year of funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, or BCRF, to pursue research into new therapies, new biomarkers and new vaccines meant to improve outcomes in this deadly d...

11/12/2025

CVI’s Dr. Nora Disis joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s flagship Washington Research & Policy Breakfast, co-moderated by Dr. Nancy Davidson of Fred Hutch. This annual gathering brings together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates to explore evidence-based strategies that reduce the cancer burden and ensure equitable access to care. 💜

Read more:

PC: American Cancer SocietyOn October 23, 2025, Dr. Nora Disis, Director of the Cancer Vaccine Institute, helped lead the conversation at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Washington Research & Policy Breakfast at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center. This annual...

09/12/2025

What a day! 💜🐾 Dr. Nora Disis was highlighted at a Husky game during Huskies for a Cure and had the chance to share CVI’s mission with dignitaries like University of Washington President Dr. Robert Jones, UW Medicine CEO Dr. Tim Dellit, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and former KING5 News anchor Jean Enersen. Our team was right there on the field, cheering as the Huskies charged onto the field. A true celebration of community, resilience, and the fight against cancer!

Photos from the October 23rd event include: Dr. Nora Disis (CVI Director), Dr. Robert Jones (University of Washington President), Dr. Lynn Hassan Jones, Dr. Tim Dellit (UW Medicine CEO), Jean Enersen (Former KING5 News Anchor), Pramila Jayapal (US House of Representatives), Susan Bevan (CVI Developm...