Ultimate cure to cancer? World’s first personalised mRNA cancer vaccine for melanoma undergoing trials

Doctors have started trials on hundreds of patients for the world's first personalised mRNA cancer vaccine for melanoma, with experts praising its potential to revolutionise cancer treatment by offering a permanent cure.

Melanoma, the leading cause of skin cancer deaths globally, affects approximately 132,000 people annually. Although surgery is the primary treatment, other options such as radiotherapy, medications, and chemotherapy are also used.

The new vaccines being tested are individually tailored for each patient, instructing their immune system to target cancer cells and prevent the disease from recurring.

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A phase 2 trial showed significant reduction in the risk of melanoma recurrence among patients who received the vaccines. A final phase 3 trial, led by the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), has now started.

Dr Heather Shaw, who oversees the trial nationally, told the Guardian that these shots could potentially cure melanoma and are also being tested for other cancers like lung, bladder, and kidney cancer.

“This is one of the most exciting things we’ve seen in a really long time,” said Shaw. “This is a really finely honed tool. To be able to sit there and say to your patients that you’re offering them something that’s effectively like the Fat Duck at Bray versus McDonald’s – it’s that level of cordon bleu that’s coming to them … The patients are really excited about them,” he said.

How does it work?

The vaccine, called mRNA-4157 (V940), is a personalised treatment thatactivates the immune system to fight a patient's specific cancer.

It targets tumour neoantigens, which are unique markers found on tumours and can be recognised by the immune system.

The vaccine contains coding for up to 34 neoantigens and triggers an immune response against the tumour based on the specific mutations present in the patient's cancer.

To personalise the vaccine, a sample of the tumour is taken during surgery, followed by DNA sequencing and analysis using artificial intelligence. This process creates a tailored anti-cancer vaccine that matches the patient's tumour.

In Phase 2, data showed that patients with serious high-risk melanomas who received the vaccine along with Keytruda were almost half as likely to die or have their cancer return after three years compared to those who only received Keytruda.

Patients got 1mg of the mRNA vaccine every three weeks for up to nine doses, and 200mg of Keytruda every three weeks for about a year (up to 18 doses).

Now, in Phase 3, the global trial will include more patients, aiming for about 1,100. The UK part of the trial aims to enroll at least 60 to 70 patients across eight centres, including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Leeds.

(With inputs from agencies)