Advancing gastric cancer prevention: Vax2Muc coordinator contributes to current discussions
Gastric cancer remains a significant global health burden, responsible for approximately 700,000 deaths per year. Despite this, prevention efforts have lagged behind those targeting other major cancers. Vax2Muc’s research towards next-generation vaccines aims to counter this trend, hoping to contribute to effective preventative measures for gastric cancer.
Last year, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the US agency for cancer research and training, convened a forum of international gastric cancer experts called the Think Tank on Advancing Gastric Cancer Prevention. The group’s goal was to identify strategies to address existing gaps and accelerate progress in the gastric cancer agenda.
Markus Gerhard, coordinator of the EU-funded Vax2Muc project, was an invited speaker at last year’s meeting, reflecting the growing recognition of mucosal vaccines as a promising avenue for cancer prevention.
Key insights from the forum have now been published in a summary report. Some of the findings underscore the importance of research conducted within the Vax2Muc project:
Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the principal risk factor for gastric cancer. While antibiotic treatment can significantly reduce cancer risk, rising antibiotic resistance and limited screening programs remain substantial barriers.
Vaccine development, particularly mucosal vaccines such as Vax2Muc, offers a novel approach by inducing local immunity within the gastric mucosa where H. pylori colonises the body.
Mucosal vaccines are a cost-effective alternative to antibiotics and hold potential for more practical and scalable deployment, especially in regions with high disease prevalence and limited healthcare infrastructure.
Greater focus and investment in preventive measures — including advanced vaccine platforms — will be pivotal in reducing the global impact of gastric cancer. The Vax2Muc consortium is proud to contribute to the innovative research efforts that could transform the landscape of gastric cancer prevention.
