Scientist Omoboyede Advances Global Cancer Prevention with Novel EBV Vaccine Strategy to Mark World Health Day

By Salami Adeyinka

As the world commemorated World Health Day, Scientist Victor Omoboyede emerged as a leading voice in global cancer prevention research following the publication of his innovative work on a vaccine-based strategy targeting Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated tumors.

EBV is one of the most common human viruses, infecting around 90% of the adult population worldwide, and is the first cancer-causing virus ever identified. It is implicated in several aggressive malignancies, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric cancer, and certain lymphomas. Globally, EBV-related cancers account for more than 200,000 new cases and approximately 150,000 deaths each year, yet no approved prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine currently exists.
In a peer-reviewed study published in the internationally respected journal Computers in Biology and Medicine (Elsevier), Scientist Omoboyede presented a computationally designed, multi-epitope vaccine candidate aimed at stimulating protective immune responses against EBV-driven tumors. The study demonstrates how computational biology can be harnessed to address persistent global health challenges.

According to Omoboyede, the motivation behind the research was rooted in both scientific urgency and global health equity.
“EBV-associated cancers disproportionately affect populations with limited access to early diagnosis and advanced therapies,” he explained. “I was motivated by the question of how we can design smarter, more targeted solutions that are informed by data and adaptable across populations. Computational immunology offers that opportunity.”

Using an advanced immunoinformatics framework, Omoboyede analyzed latency-associated proteins from multiple EBV strains to identify immune-reactive regions capable of eliciting both cellular and humoral immune responses. These epitopes were systematically selected and assembled into a single vaccine construct enhanced with immune-stimulating components designed to improve efficacy.

To assess the therapeutic promise of the vaccine, the study employed molecular docking, immune simulation, and molecular dynamics analyses, demonstrating stable interactions with key immune receptors, including toll-like receptors involved in immune activation. The findings suggest the vaccine candidate could effectively engage immune pathways critical for tumor control, pending experimental validation.

“What drives my work is the belief that data should not remain abstract,” Omoboyede said. “When computational insights are rigorously applied, they can guide real therapeutic strategies that move us closer to preventing and treating cancer.”

The research has attracted attention within the international scientific community and contributes to growing evidence that computational medicine can serve as a primary engine for therapeutic innovation. Omoboyede further emphasized that the approach outlined in the study is not limited to EBV, but establishes a reusable framework that could be extended to other virus-associated cancers and pathogen associated diseases.
Beyond its technical contributions, the work aligns closely with the goals of World Health Day, emphasizing prevention, innovation, and global collaboration in addressing disease burden. By focusing on vaccine-based strategies, the study underscores the importance of proactive, accessible solutions in the fight against cancer.
Reflecting on the broader implications, he noted, “Global health challenges demand solutions that are scalable, precise, and inclusive. My work is driven by the conviction that computational biology can help close existing gaps in cancer prevention and treatment.”
Through this contribution, Scientist Omoboyede reinforces the growing role of computational biology in cancer research and highlights how innovation at the intersection of data and medicine can advance global health outcomes.