Guildford Initiative Launches £250,000 Prostate Cancer Vaccine Research

A new prostate cancer research initiative is set to commence in September, aiming to develop a vaccine that could significantly reduce the recurrence of the disease. The Prostate Project, a charity based in Guildford, has launched a fundraising campaign with a target of £250,000 to support this critical research effort. The vaccine is intended for men who have undergone a radical prostatectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the prostate gland.

The Prostate Project operates from the Stokes Centre for Urology at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and has a strong history of funding prostate cancer research, having raised over £11 million since its inception in 1998. The charity has contributed to groundbreaking research at the University of Surrey, leading to notable advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate and other urological cancers. The university’s research team is recognised as a leading group in immunotherapy research both in the UK and internationally.

This latest campaign specifically supports the work of Dr. Nicola Annels and Dr. Guy Simpson, who are spearheading the vaccine development at the University of Surrey. A patent for the vaccine has already been filed, building on Dr. Simpson’s previous success in using a similar approach to treat bladder cancer. The forthcoming research aims to test the efficacy of the vaccine for prostate cancer patients.

Dr. Simpson detailed the innovative approach the research will employ, stating, “The research will focus on a ‘prime-boost’ vaccine strategy. The new cancer-killing virus, known as HSV5-15, developed by our team at the University of Surrey, will serve as an immune ‘priming’ vaccine. This will work in conjunction with a prostate-specific mRNA vaccine to boost and maintain the immune response against prostate cancer.”

The potential impact of this vaccine is significant. In the UK, around 5,000 radical prostatectomies are performed annually, with between 20% and 50% of men experiencing cancer recurrence post-surgery. This situation often necessitates further treatments such as radiotherapy or hormone therapy, which can be costly and carry side effects. The new vaccine aims to train the body’s immune system to identify and eliminate any returning cancer cells, potentially reducing the likelihood of recurrence.

Martin Davies, Chairman of the Prostate Project, emphasised the importance of this fundraising initiative, stating, “For over 25 years, the Prostate Project has been proud to support a team recognised by their peers for their work in immunology research. This latest initiative is perhaps the most important yet.” He acknowledged the ambitious goal of raising £250,000 but expressed confidence in the charity’s track record and the potential life-saving outcomes of the research.

The funding raised will support the initial 18-month research period, with Dr. Simpson indicating that additional contributions could accelerate the timeline significantly. The Prostate Project has made information about the vaccine and donation options available on its website at www.prostate-project.org.uk.

This research initiative represents a significant step in the fight against prostate cancer and has the potential to save numerous lives each year in the UK and beyond.