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The Center for Immuno-Oncology (CIO) investigates how our immune system reacts to cancer and what we can do to improve tumour immunity.  We combine deep fundmental understanding of immunology with preclinical studies to translate new knowledge into clinical trials with the aim of developing new life-saving treatments for a spectrum of cancers. 

Oxford’s long history of excellence in immunology is now focused on cancer, and CIO is the hub of the University-wide Oxford Cancer Immuno-Oncology Network (OCION) which links immuno-oncology researchers from multiple disciplines from across the University of Oxford, its affiliated hospitals and industrial partners.


CIO News

Advancing cancer care: Dr Ignacio Melero awarded ESMO prize for immunotherapy innovation

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has awarded the ESMO Immuno-Oncology Prize to Dr Ignacio Melero, Kidani Professor of Immuno-Therapeutics at the University of Oxford, in recognition of his major contributions to immuno-oncology over recent decades.

Shared Learning in Cancer Research: Brazilian Health Leaders Visit Oxford

Professor Tim Elliott and colleagues from Oxford Cancer and the Centre for Immuno-Oncology welcomed the Brazilian Minister of Health and senior officials for an official visit organised by the British Embassy in Brazil. The delegation met to exchange insights on cancer research, regulation, and public health, with discussions focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and innovative treatments such as mRNA vaccines and immunotherapy.

Dr Ignacio (Nacho) Melero inducted into the 2025 Class of Fellows of the Academy of Immuno-Oncology (FAIO). Pictured with his nominator, Kim A. Margolin, MD, FASCO, Saint John's Cancer Institute.

Dr Ignacio Melero recognised for global contribution to advances in cancer immunotherapy

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) has honoured Dr Ignacio (Nacho) Melero, Professor of Immunotherapy at NDM's Centre for Immuno-Oncology at Oxford, for his pioneering research transforming cancer treatment through immunotherapy.

Alice's Arc co-founder, Sara Wakeling, with her daughter Alice, who died five years after her rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis.

CIO and Dunn School Join Forces to Pioneer Vaccines Against Childhood Cancers

A new partnership between Alice’s Arc, the Centre for Immuno-Oncology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine and the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology will pioneer the development of a bespoke mRNA vaccine to improve treatment outcomes for children with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer.

Oxford Cancer News

World Cancer Day

Discover how our researchers are tackling the major challenges in Cancer Research 🔬🧬 👉Featuring here Dr.Pedroza-Pacheco, Dr. Galvez-Cancino and and Dr.Leung from our Centre for immuno-Oncology 🎥 Watch the video to see the breakthroughs we're striving for! #Innovation

United by unique

This year’s #WorldCancerDay theme is 'United by Unique' and our work at the Centre for immuno-Oncology aligns with it by using fundamental science and exploring environmental factors to develop innovative personalised therapies

The future of Cancer Resarch

At the centre for immuno-Oncology we are focusing on improving patient outcomes through personalized approaches Watch the video to see how we’re transforming the future for cancer patients. 🎥 #CancerWorldDay

Latest publications

DNA prime and peptide boost immunization elicits robust neoantigen-specific CD8 + T cell responses and therapeutic protection in mouse tumor models.

Journal article

Morgado-Cáceres P. et al, (2026), Oncoimmunology, 15

Using peptide-exchange systems to interrogate peptide-specific KIR binding to HLA Class I

Preprint

Murali TM. et al, (2026)

Chromosomal instability shapes the tumor microenvironment of esophageal adenocarcinoma via a cGAS-chemokine-myeloid axis.

Journal article

Beernaert B. et al, (2026), Science advances, 12

Risk Factors of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease in a Cohort of Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Journal article

Kalafateli M. et al, (2026), Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, 24, 701 - 712.e8

Tumor-targeted 4-1BB costimulation enhances immune activation and clinical activity of a CEA-directed T-cell engager in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer

Preprint

Boehnke A. et al, (2026)

Supplementary Figure 1 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Supplementary Figure 5 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Supplementary Figure 7 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Supplementary Figure 2 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Figure S8 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Supplementary Methods 1 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Supplementary Figure 6 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Figure S9 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Supplementary Figure 4 from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Data from Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Carcinoembryonic Antigen–Positive Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Other

Melero I. et al, (2026)

Immunotherapies in CIO

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