Developing a vaccine against BRCA-associated cancers

What’s the title of the study?

Preventing BRCA-associated cancers with vaccination

What’s the project about?

A team of researchers at the University of Oxford are working on ways to prevent cancers developing in people living with a BRCA mutation.

This involves using a vaccine - to train the immune system to recognise 'red flags' in pre-cancerous tissue. The idea is that if the immune system can better recognise precancerous changes in cells, it will kill those cells and prevent cancer developing. This could provide an alternative to risk-reducing surgery for people living with a BRCA mutation.

The researchers want to hear from people who are living with a BRCA mutation from the earliest stages of the research, and build a community of advisors to support the research as it develops.

They’re holding a workshop to introduce the research, hear initial views, and begin to build sustained involvement. The workshop will also inform the next steps for the research.

Who’s organising it?

Name of project lead: Catriona Gilmour Hamilton

Job title: PPI Manager

Organisation: Oxford Cancer, University of Oxford

Email address: catriona.gilmourhamilton@medsci.ox.ac.uk

Who can take part?

You can take part if you, or a family member or friend is living with a BRCA mutation. You don’t have to have had a personal diagnosis of breast cancer.

Why do you want me to be involved?

By taking part in the workshop, you can help the researchers understand the views and concerns of people living with a BRCA mutation around this research. This will help ensure the research is beneficial for and reflects the needs of people with a BRCA mutation.

What will you ask me to do?

The researchers are holding 2 initial online workshops to introduce the research and to hear your views. The workshops are at 6pm on 13 and 15 October and will last one and half hours. They will be held on Zoom.

At the workshops, you will hear about the research from Professor Sarah Blagden and have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with each other. The workshop will cover:

• What people think of the idea of preventing cancers with vaccination

• How the idea of a vaccination compares with other preventative interventions for people with a BRCA mutation

• What might prevent people from taking part in this research

• What questions people might want to ask before they would agree to take part in research

You will be offered payment of £50 for your attendance at the meeting.

You’ll also have the chance to be involved in the research further as it progresses, if you’d like to. This would include

• Working with the researchers to design the study

• Helping with outreach

• Contributing to newsletters

• Sharing news about the research

How do I get involved?

If you’d like to attend a workshop, please complete the online registration form.

Or, you can get in touch with Catriona at catriona.gilmourhamilton@medsci.ox.ac.uk or oxfordcancerppi@medsci.ox.ac.uk to register your interest or ask any questions.

When’s the deadline?

8 October 2026