WGc-043, an mRNA-based therapeutic cancer vaccine, is being explored as a potential treatment for prostate cancer linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This vaccine targets EBV-positive tumors and has received FDA approval for investigational use in clinical trials, marking it as a novel approach in cancer immunotherapy.

WGc-043 is in a Phase I clinical trial for advanced solid tumors, including prostate cancer, though the trial is not yet recruiting. The study aims to enroll 64 patients to evaluate the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and early signs of antitumor activity in EBV-positive cases.

WGc-043’s focus on EBV-positive prostate cancer stems from research suggesting that EBV, a virus classified as a carcinogen, may play a role in some prostate cancers.

Studies have detected EBV in prostate tissue, with one 2012 study finding it alongside human papillomavirus in over half of malignant prostate samples from Australian men. A 2021 study identified EBV in 7 out of 60 prostate cancer cases, and a 2024 Polish study linked higher EBV antibody levels to more advanced disease stages. These findings point to a possible connection, though not all prostate cancers are EBV-positive, and the virus’s exact role remains under investigation.
The WGc-043 trial targets patients with confirmed EBV-positive solid tumors, including prostate cancer, that are not treatable with curative intent.

WGc-043 has shown promise in earlier trials for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and natural killer T-cell lymphoma, with favorable efficacy and tolerability compared to other mRNA vaccines. Still, its application in prostate cancer is in the early stages, and its effectiveness for this specific condition is not yet established.

If WGc-043 proves effective, it could pave the way for precision therapies tailored to the molecular traits of tumors, aligning with broader trends in cancer treatment.

Clinical trial.