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PRISM Joins the Inserm Impact Santé Project DARVAC to Develop Next-Generation Cancer Vaccines

PRISM Joins the Inserm Impact Santé Project DARVAC to Develop Next-Generation Cancer Vaccines

PRISM is proud to be part of the Inserm Impact Santé project DARVAC (Development of vaccines offering innovative early protection against non-viral cancers). This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize cancer prevention by harnessing ghost (Dark) proteins and non-coding RNAs—key elements of the genome’s so-called “dark matter”—to develop novel therapeutic vaccines.

A Paradigm Shift in Cancer Prevention

The DARVAC project, led by Jérôme Galon (Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers – Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université), focuses on understanding how the immune system detects or evades the earliest signs of non-viral cancers.
By targeting non-coding RNAs, recently identified as crucial regulators of the early immune response in colorectal cancer, the project aims to create first-in-class vaccines that act before tumors develop.

Unlike existing cancer prevention strategies, which rely on screening and early treatment, DARVAC explores a completely new approach: training the immune system to recognize pre-tumoral molecular signals and mount a protective response before cancer emerges. This ambitious vision could reduce cancer incidence, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the economic burden of heavy treatments on healthcare systems.

A Strong Interdisciplinary Consortium

The DARVAC project brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts in immunology, proteomics, and oncology, forming a high-impact research network:

  • Jérôme Galon (Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, CRC)
  • Michel Salzet & Isabelle Fournier (PRISM – Inserm, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, Centre Oscar Lambret)
  • Jean-Baptiste Latouche (Immunology and Biotherapies Laboratory – CHU de Rouen, Université de Rouen-Normandie)
  • Nathalie Labarrière (Immunology and New Concepts in Immunotherapy Laboratory – Inserm, Nantes Université)
  • Olivier Adotevi (Therapeutic Innovations in Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Inserm, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Établissement Français du Sang de Bourgogne et Franche-Comté)

Major Scientific and Societal Impacts

Funded through the France 2030 initiative, the Inserm Impact Santé program supports high-risk, high-reward research with the potential to revolutionize medical knowledge and clinical practices. With 10 million cancer-related deaths annually, DARVAC could pave the way for a new generation of preventive cancer vaccines, complementing current screening and treatment strategies.

By selecting DARVAC, Inserm recognizes the groundbreaking potential of this approach and the commitment of PRISM and its collaborators to advancing immuno-oncology research. The project embodies PRISM’s vision for translational research, reinforcing its role as a leader in personalized medicine and therapeutic innovation.