Cancer vaccines are individualized to the unique genetic code of a patient’s tumor cells. Most use mRNA technology, which is also used for COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr. Catherine Wu of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute helped lay the foundation for clinical cancer vaccine research.

Nearly 10 years ago, she published the results of a groundbreaking clinical trial that tested a personalized cancer vaccine therapy on six patients with melanoma. Extended follow-ups showed the vaccine protected patients from recurrence years after the initial trial.

Wu now leads the Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies at Dana-Farber. She discussed the new NIH initiative and what it means for the future of cancer research. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Dr. Catherine Wu, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Bryce Vickmark/Provided

Q. What sets cancer vaccines apart from other cancer therapies?

A.…