# UW Medicine Begins Phase II Trial of Ovarian Cancer Vaccine Targeting CA 125

> UW Medicine has started a phase II trial of an ovarian cancer vaccine aimed at preventing recurrence in patients in remission.

- Published: 2026-11-07T02:49:23+00:00
- Section: Research & Clinical Trials
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-07/uw-medicine-ovarian-cancer-vaccine-phase-two
- Source: [Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/uw-medicine-led-ovarian-cancer-012904925.html)

## Key takeaways

- UW Medicine is enrolling ovarian cancer patients in remission for a phase II trial of a vaccine targeting the CA 125 protein.
- Dr. Nora Disis said earlier trials produced promising results for preventing disease recurrence.
- Kim Polk, diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer at 51, joined a phase I trial at the University of Washington in 2012 and remains in remission.
- The vaccine is not available on the market and remains in clinical trial stages.

UW Medicine has begun a phase II clinical trial of an ovarian cancer vaccine that targets the CA 125 protein, seeking patients whose cancer is in remission. [Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/uw-medicine-led-ovarian-cancer-012904925.html) reported the trial, which follows earlier studies of the vaccine.

## How the CA 125 Vaccine Is Designed to Work

Dr. Nora Disis, director of the Cancer Vaccine Institute at [UW Medicine](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002uzz/uw-medicine), said the vaccine is meant to eliminate malignant cells that remain after treatment. "What this vaccine is aimed to do is to eradicate any cells left in your body that have that malignant potential," Disis said.

Disis said the vaccine starts an immune response at CA 125, a protein she described as one of the strongest indicators of ovarian cancer cells, and then extends that response to other proteins expressed in the cancer. "The vaccine has already been through earlier trials, where the results were quite promising for preventing disease recurrence," she said. "So this trial is formally asking that question."

Kim Polk was 51 when doctors told her she had stage three ovarian cancer in 2009. After a hysterectomy and chemotherapy, Polk, who lives in Wyoming, heard in 2012 about a phase one trial at the University of Washington in Seattle and enrolled. "Here I am, 15 years later. And I'm healthy as a horse," Polk said. She encouraged anyone who qualifies for such trials to consider joining.

## UW Medicine's Recent Research Partnerships

UW Medicine entered a research collaboration with GE HealthCare in May 2026 to advance AI-integrated CT and molecular imaging in cardiology, oncology and theranostics, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). In January 2026, UW Medicine received a $3.5 million National Cancer Institute grant to lead a five-year study of primary-care-based genetic cancer risk testing across 12 clinics in three health systems. The same records list a January 2026 selection as one of twelve recipients of Google.org's $20 million AI for Science fund.

## Earlier UW Medicine Research and Technology News

In September 2026, CFO Jon Alford told Becker's Hospital Review that UW Medicine, Epic's 30th customer, was exploring updates to Epic's latest platform to reduce clicks and adopt AI-based features, Becker's Hospital Review reported. In August 2026, UW Medicine researchers published a study in JAMA Network Open finding that people traveling across state lines for abortion care were often poorly informed about remote telehealth options, UW reported.

## Where to Find Trial Information

The vaccine is not available on the market and remains in clinical trial stages. UW Medicine directs people to the [UW Cancer Vaccine Institute website](https://www.uwmedicine.org) for more information.

## Companies in this story

- [UW Medicine company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002uzz/uw-medicine) · website: https://www.uwmedicine.org

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