A new therapeutic vaccine technology for cancer, developed by a team led by Prof Nicolas Mach at the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) and the University of Geneva (UNIGE), has received the Pfizer Prize for Biomedical Research 2026. The technology, called MVX-ONCO-1, was designed to address challenges faced by conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, particularly in advanced cancers where these approaches have limited success.
MVX-ONCO-1 is based on a two-pronged approach. First, tumor samples are collected from patients through minimally invasive surgery. These cells are then irradiated to inactivate them while preserving their antigens—molecules that help the immune system recognize and destroy foreign cells. This extract is reinjected as a personalized vaccine. Rémi Vernet, Scientific Officer at UNIGE's Medicine Department, explained: "When treating cancer, we don't always know the exact antigens to target. By using the entire inactivated tumor, we provide the immune system with a complete blueprint of possible targets."
The second component involves implanting biocompatible capsules under the skin that contain genetically modified human cell lines. These encapsulated cells continuously release an immune-stimulating factor known as an adjuvant at the vaccination site to activate antigen-presenting cells.
In their first clinical study involving humans, 34 patients with advanced solid tumors resistant to other treatments received six injections of their personalized MVX-ONCO-1 vaccine over nine weeks. All aspects of treatment were managed within HUG facilities.
Prof Nicolas Mach noted: "We were able to rely on the platform of the cell therapy and transplantation laboratories of the HUG for the preparation of therapeutic cell products according to the very strict Swissmedic standards and the Research Unit of the Division of Oncology, for the management of patients and the clinical trial."
More than half of participants experienced clinical benefits such as disease stabilization or prolonged survival without significant side effects. Dr Eugenio Fernandez stated: "For patients, this is a minimally invasive and very well-tolerated therapy. This is essential when you consider how taxing conventional treatments can be."
While acknowledging that these results do not yet prove large-scale effectiveness, researchers believe they mark progress toward fully personalized cancer therapies. Prof Mach added: "There is still much work to be done! We now need to test this technology in larger cohorts, at earlier stages of the disease and combine it with other existing treatments. But we are starting from a solid base." He also emphasized that securing funding for advanced-phase clinical trials will be crucial: "Winning the Pfizer Prize is an important milestone, a mark of excellence and recognition that will help attract the necessary support to allow us to move forward."
