Personalised mRNA vaccine cuts melanoma relapse risk

In a major clinical trial, Moderna and MSD’s personalised vaccine Intismeran, given with the immunotherapy Keytruda, cut the risk of melanoma returning or death by 42%. The results are not yet peer-reviewed.

Each vaccine is made from genetic material from the patient’s own tumour: after surgery it trains the immune system to find remaining cancer cells. It uses the same mRNA technology as some COVID-19 vaccines. The UK’s Addenbrooke’s Hospital took part in the trial; oncologist Pippa Corrie called it a whole new approach to cancer treatment.

It is still some way from patients: peer review and regulatory approval are needed, and it is unclear whether the method will work for other cancers. The same Positive News round-up features the Azores island of Corvo, which switched off its lights so young shearwaters do not lose their way to the ocean. On the sunny Costa Blanca, the melanoma news is also a reminder about sun protection and skin checks.