Cancer Vaccines: The Future is Now

As cancer vaccines move into Phase II and III clinical trials, it isincreasingly important for surgeons to understand their role in thisevolving landscape. What exactly are these vaccines, how do they work,and what should the surgical community know about theirimplementation? Join BTK surgical education fellows Kara Button andMichelle LaBella as they sit down with Professor Robert Jones to breakdown the science of mRNA vaccines, the logistics of tissueprocurement, and the future of cancer care.Hosts:- Professor Robert Jones: Consultant Liver Surgeon, Liverpool UniversityHospitals; UK National Institute for Healthcare Research, Co-Lead forthe Cancer Vaccine Innovation Pathway, Bowel Cancer UK and RoyalCollege of Surgeons UK Lead for Research into Advanced Bowel Cancer,and UK Chief Investigator for the BNT122-01 trial.https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-jones-6103722a/- Kara Button, DO: General Surgery Resident, Maine Medical Center;Behind the Knife Surgical Education Fellow.- Michelle LaBella, MD: General Surgery Resident; University of NorthCarolina; Behind the Knife Surgical Education Fellow.References:https://clinicaltrials.biontech.com/trials/BNT122-01Jones RP, Lee LYW, Corrie PG, et al. Individualized cancer vaccinesversus surveillance after adjuvant chemotherapy for surgicallyresected high-risk stage 2 and stage 3 colorectal cancer: protocol fora randomized trial. BJS. 2023;110(12):1883-1884.doi:10.1093/bjs/znad332https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37856683/Tie J, Wang Y, Loree JM, et al. Circulating tumor DNA-guided adjuvanttherapy in locally advanced colon cancer: the randomized phase 2/3DYNAMIC-III trial. Nat Med. 2025;31(12):4291-4300.doi:10.1038/s41591-025-04030-whttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41115959/Rojas LA, Sethna Z, Soares KC, et al. Personalized RNA neoantigenvaccines stimulate T cells in pancreatic cancer. Nature.2023;618(7963):144-150. doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06063-yhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37165196/https://www.cancer.ox.ac.uk/research/lynchvax#:~:text=The%20LynchVax%20program%2C%20funded%20by,individuals%20with%20this%20genetic%20conditionPlease visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.  If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listenBehind the Knife Premium: https://behindtheknife.org/premiumOral Board Review: https://behindtheknife.org/oral-boardOral Board Simulator: https://behindtheknife.org/oral-board/simulatorGeneral Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-reviewTrauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlasDominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkshipDominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotationVascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewColorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewSurgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-audio-reviewC