• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic medical oncologist

    Timothy Moynihan, M.D.

    read biography

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Question

Ovarian cancer vaccine: Can it prevent recurrence?

What can you tell me about an ovarian cancer vaccine that is supposed prevent recurrence of ovarian cancer? Does it work?

Answer

from Timothy Moynihan, M.D.

You may be referring to a study published in October 2006 in which 18 women with recurrent ovarian cancer received an experimental ovarian cancer vaccine. The vaccine prevented cancer recurrence for an average of 19 months. The theory behind the ovarian cancer vaccine is that it stimulates the immune system to attack any cancer cells that reappear. Although the vaccine compared favorably with the use of chemotherapy to prevent recurrent ovarian cancer, much more research is needed to evaluate the potential role vaccines may play in preventing ovarian cancer. Other vaccines that may prevent or reduce the risk of ovarian cancer are being tested in ongoing clinical trials.

Next question
Ovarian cancer: Still possible after hysterectomy?

AN01788

May 29, 2008

© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger