How the HHMT Forum laid the foundations for the ovarian cancer vaccine research

At Ovarian Cancer Action, we know that when the best minds come together, progress is inevitable. Four years ago, we gathered leading ovarian cancer researchers from across the world at the 2019 HHMT International Forum on Ovarian Cancer. The focus? To answer a critical question: How can we unlock the benefits of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients?

The insights shared during this Forum have proven invaluable. It wasn’t just a meeting of minds; it was the starting point for breakthroughs that are shaping the future of ovarian cancer treatment. One of those breakthroughs? The development of an ovarian cancer vaccine by Professor Ahmed Ahmed and his team at the University of Oxford, now receiving significant backing from Cancer Research UK (CRUK). This vaccine, which could prevent ovarian cancer, started with our funding and the conversations that took place at that pivotal 2019 Forum.

Let’s explore how the HHMT International Forum helped pave the way for this progress—and how it continues to inspire life-saving research.

2019 HHMT International Forum

The HHMT International Forum brings together scientists, researchers, and clinicians to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and spark collaborations that accelerate the development of new treatments for ovarian cancer.

In 2019, the Forum focused on a critical area of cancer research: immunotherapy. This innovative treatment empowers the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. It has shown tremendous success in other cancers like melanoma, but ovarian cancer has proven to be more resistant to immunotherapy’s effects.

We asked researchers at the Forum: How can we overcome this challenge and unlock the full potential of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer?

The conversations that followed led to a bold step forward: Ovarian Cancer Action awarded £900,000 to fund two pioneering immunotherapy projects that held the most promise for transforming ovarian cancer treatment.

Laying the groundwork for the ovarian cancer vaccine

One of the standout projects we funded at the Forum was led by Professor Ahmed Ahmed at the University of Oxford. His work centered around a new concept: could a vaccine be developed to prevent ovarian cancer from developing in the first place?

Professor Ahmed was able to take all the learning from our previously funded research in Early Detection and combine it with innovative immunotherapy techniques. Our funding enabled Professor Ahmed to conduct the initial research that laid the foundation for this breakthrough. His team discovered that immune cells in the fallopian tube — the tissue where many ovarian cancers begin — can “remember” cancer cells. These findings were crucial in understanding how the immune system could be harnessed to prevent ovarian cancer.

Fast forward to today, and that pioneering research has just received a £600,000 funding boost from CRUK to develop the world’s first ovarian cancer vaccine for clinical trials. This is a significant step in the journey that began at the HHMT Forum.

Accelerating progress through collaboration

The vaccine project is a shining example of the power of collaboration and long-term vision. Without the insights shared at the 2019 HHMT Forum, this project may never have gotten off the ground. Today, the groundwork laid at that Forum is bringing us closer to a future where ovarian cancer could be prevented — potentially saving thousands of lives.

But this is just one of the many successes inspired by the Forum. Across the globe, other projects that were discussed and funded at the event are continuing to make strides in ovarian cancer research.

Moving forward with confidence

As we reflect on the progress that has been made since the 2019 HHMT Forum, one thing is clear: collaboration is key to progress. The event served as a platform for bold ideas, leading to real-world breakthroughs that have the potential to change the lives of women affected by ovarian cancer.

Excitingly, the HHMT International Forum will return in October 2024. This year, we're taking collaboration to the next level by inviting global charity partners to join us.

By uniting international charities with leading researchers and clinicians, we aim to pool resources, share expertise, and fast-track breakthroughs in ovarian cancer treatment and prevention.

Ovarian Cancer Action will continue to champion groundbreaking research, support collaboration across the scientific community, and ensure that the patient voice remains at the centre of all our ovarian cancer research.