UCPVax vaccine in development for cancer treatment

Professor Olivier Adotevi, an immuno-oncologist at the CHU Besançon Franche-Comté, is leading research on UCPVax, a therapeutic vaccine developed through 16 years of public research. The vaccine was first initiated in 2010 at the Besançon CHU and has completed four clinical trials involving over 360 French patients, with five more trials currently active or planned.

Multicenter research program underway

The UCPVax program involves more than 20 research centers across France, including university hospitals, general hospitals, and cancer treatment centers. These institutions are collaborating to evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety across various cancer types.

Therapeutic vaccine differs from preventive vaccines

Unlike preventive vaccines that stop infections before they occur, UCPVax is designed for patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer. It works by training the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, rather than directly destroying them. This approach gives the vaccine its "universal" label, as it targets a key enzyme involved in cancer cell survival.

Immune system activation through CD4 T lymphocytes

UCPVax primarily stimulates CD4 T lymphocytes, which act like commanders in the immune system. These cells coordinate the body’s defenses by recruiting CD8 T lymphocytes, which directly attack cancer cells. This process creates a lasting immune memory, helping the body recognize and destroy cancer cells in the future.

Positive results in lung cancer trials

In trials involving advanced lung cancer, 87 percent of patients developed a specific immune response after six injections. Among these patients, the median survival time was more than 11 months, and one patient experienced complete remission. When combined with standard immunotherapy, UCPVax showed even greater effectiveness in treating HPV-related cancers, such as uterine cancer.

Focus on aggressive brain tumor glioblastoma

The current priority is testing UCPVax on glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis. In a randomized trial called MATVAC-1, eight patients were still alive two years after treatment, suggesting the vaccine’s potential. It has shown good clinical tolerance, with only mild side effects like redness or swelling at the injection site.

Complementary to existing cancer treatments

UCPVax is not meant to replace current cancer treatments but to work alongside them. It enhances the effectiveness of surgery, radiotherapy, and other immunotherapies by helping the body eliminate residual cancer cells and prevent relapses. Its production cost is significantly lower than personalized vaccines, with a full year of treatment costing around 4,000 euros.

Access and eligibility criteria

Patients must meet specific medical criteria to qualify for the vaccine. Their oncologist or referring doctor must contact one of the participating institutions. Information about eligible centers and current recruitment status is available on the National Register of Clinical Trials of the INCa and the UCPVax.org website.

Funding campaign for phase III trials

The UCPVax team is seeking 6 million euros to fund phase III trials involving 250 patients, with the goal of obtaining market authorization by 2032. Early access for glioblastoma patients is expected as early as 2029. Crédit Agricole has already contributed 1.5 million euros as the first private sponsor, and a fundraising campaign is open to the public.