UCPVax reactivates immune defenses in 80% of patients, says actu.orange.fr

An experimental therapeutic cancer vaccine developed at the University Hospital of Besançon has demonstrated the ability to reactivate immune defenses in 80% of patients across four distinct tumor types, actu.orange.fr reported.

Key Clinical Takeaways:
• Researchers presented the updated clinical data during an October 20, 2026, press conference in Paris.
• The development team requires six million euros in funding to advance toward Phase III clinical trials and a targeted 2032 market authorization.

Presenting the Clinical Update in Paris

Researchers gathered at the Maison de la Chimie in Paris on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to outline the latest developments in the UCPVax program. The research program is piloted by Pr Olivier Adotevi, an immuno-oncologist at the University Hospital of Besançon and director of UMR Right, which associates the University Hospital of Franche-Comté with the UMR Right laboratory comprising Inserm, the French Blood Establishment, and Marie and Louis Pasteur University. The formulation stimulates TCD4 lymphocytes, which act as commanders directing CD8 cells to eliminate tumor cells while prompting antibody production. Describing the intervention as a ready-to-use, standardized, and reproducible vaccine, Pr Adotevi noted that it is inexpensive to produce. He further cautioned that it is not a miracle treatment and must be accompanied by other therapies, but allows patients to gain time. The formulation targets an enzyme common to almost all cancers.

Tracking the Clinical Trials Since 2010

Launched in 2010, the vaccine has undergone four clinical trials evaluating its safety and efficacy in more than 360 patients across more than twenty centers in France, actu.orange.fr reported, with the research effort drawing on over 15 years of work by French researchers in Besançon. Five additional trials are currently underway or in preparation, focusing on lung cancer, glioblastoma, liver cancer, and human papillomavirus-related malignancies, conducted across a multicenter program uniting over twenty research centers nationwide, including university hospitals and cancer treatment centers. In an early trial involving advanced lung cancer patients, the first administration in humans having taken place in 2016 for advanced lung cancers, 87 percent developed a specific immune response following six injections, with median survival exceeding eleven months among responders, alongside a case of complete remission. For a brain tumor trial evaluated under the MATVAC-1 protocol, eight patients remained alive two years post-treatment, La Voix du Nord reported, featuring a participant named Wanda diagnosed with a very aggressive brain tumor in November 2022 who stated that today the tumor is nothing at all.

Combining Immunotherapy with Standard Care

Clinical observations indicate the treatment functions as an efficacy amplifier when administered alongside surgery, radiotherapy, or conventional immunotherapies such as anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 agents. By preparing the immune terrain, it prevents recurrences and helps the body eliminate residual cancer cells that surgery or chemotherapy could not destroy. To date, clinical evaluations have reported no severe adverse effects beyond mild local reactions at the injection site, according to actu.orange.fr.

Securing Funding for Phase III Trials

Advancing the program toward upcoming Phase III trials involving 250 patients requires raising six million euros, Santé Magazine reported. Private backing has begun with a 1.5 million euro contribution from Crédit Agricole, alongside open fundraising efforts targeting foundations, companies, and individuals.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.