World-first cancer vaccine cuts melanoma death risk by 42 per cent

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 08:44 · Archive

A personalised mRNA cancer vaccine has reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 42 per cent when added to standard post-surgery immunotherapy treatment, according to a major clinical trial. The vaccine, called intismeran, is jointly developed by pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Merck. It is custom-made for each patient based on the unique genetic characteristics of their tumour.

The vaccine targets neoantigens, abnormal proteins that develop on cancer cells following genetic mutations, training the immune system to recognise and attack these unique markers. The study compared patients receiving intismeran alongside pembrolizumab (Keytruda) with those receiving only the immunotherapy drug. Detailed results were presented at a meeting of the European Society of Medical Oncology in Madrid on Saturday.

Professor Georgina Long, medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia and principal investigator of the trial, said the findings show that patients with earlier-stage melanoma can be treated 'in a fundamentally new way' after surgery. Experts not involved in the study have described it as a significant breakthrough. Personalised cancer vaccines using mRNA are also being tested against lung, kidney and pancreatic cancers, suggesting the approach could benefit patients with other cancer types.

How it is being reported

• First personalised cancer vaccine cuts risk of disease returning in major trialThe scientists involved say the results could mark a turning point in cancer treatment, bringing personalised medicine a step closer.BBC News · 23 Oct, 08:49
• First-of-its-kind cancer vaccine helps reduce chances of melanoma patients’ tumors returning: studyA first-of-its-kind cancer vaccine is significantly reducing the chances that melanoma patients’ tumors come back, according to results of a major study released Thursday by drugmakers Moderna and Merck.New York Post · 23 Oct, 08:26
• World-first cancer vaccine slashes death risk in stunning findings led by Aussie scientistA Sydney scientist is leading a world-first cancer vaccine trial that has dramatically reduced the risk of melanoma returning or patients dying from the disease.Daily Mail · 23 Oct, 00:55

In this story: Melanoma Institute Australia · University of Sydney · Moderna · Merck · Professor Georgina Long · Sydney · Madrid

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