Personalised mRNA vaccine cuts melanoma recurrence risk by 42%

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 09:02 · Archive

A personalised mRNA vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death.

A personalised mRNA vaccine has significantly reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death within two years, according to clinical trial results. The vaccine, called intismeran, is custom-made to target genetic mutations unique to an individual's melanoma, and is the first individualised cancer vaccine to show positive results in a phase III clinical trial.

The Australian-led trial included 1,137 patients whose melanoma had been surgically removed but were at high risk of it returning. All patients were treated with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab for twelve months, and some were also given the personalised intismeran vaccine. The trial found that at two years post-treatment, the combination of intismeran and pembrolizumab reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 42% compared with treatment with pembrolizumab alone.

Prof Georgina Long, medical director at the Melanoma Institute Australia, described the findings as 'a foundational shift in our approach to cancer', allowing scientists to 'harness the immune system in a more personalised way to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death'. The results have been accepted for publication in the New England Journal of Medicine and will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology's annual congress in Madrid.

How it is being reported

• Australia helps develop world-first mRNA cancer vaccine for melanomaA major breakthrough in fighting skin cancer has been announced, with an Australian-led trial developing a world first vaccine.The Sydney Morning Herald · 23 Oct, 08:46
• ‘Bespoke’ mRNA vaccine significantly reduces risk of melanoma recurrence or death, clinical trial showsTrial results represent ‘foundational shift’ in approach to cancer, allowing scientists to harness immune system in more personalised way Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast A personalised mRNA-based melanoma vaccine significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence or death within two years, new clinical trial results show. The vaccine, intismeran, is custom-made to target genetic mutations unique to an individual’s melanoma. It is the first individualised cancer vaccine to show positive results in a phase III clinical trial . Continue reading...Guardian Australia · 23 Oct, 05:27

In this story: intismeran · Melanoma Institute Australia · Prof Georgina Long · European Society for Medical Oncology · Madrid

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