Melanoma, once deemed an incurable disease, has seen significant advancements in treatment through targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which have notably extended patient survival. Now, personalized anti-cancer vaccines that can prevent tumor recurrence are emerging, as reported by Nature.
Moderna has developed such a vaccine based on mRNA technology, the same platform used for its COVID-19 vaccine. This treatment is customized for each patient using their own cells.
The case of Angela Evatt exemplifies this approach. Three years ago, she had melanoma and a lymph node removed. In 2020, she participated in trials for a personalized vaccine that “trained” her immune system to attack any remaining malignant cells. After several months of treatment, Evatt has experienced remission for over three years.
A study involving 157 participants revealed that combining the vaccine with the latest therapy reduces the risk of recurrence by almost 50% compared to medication alone. Last July, a larger study commenced, involving over a thousand melanoma patients and 900 patients with aggressive lung cancer.
Immunologist-oncologist Nora Disis highlighted this as a significant step forward in cancer vaccine development, though many questions remain. Researchers are still investigating which stages of cancer the new method will be most effective at and how to identify the most effective neoantigens.
Russian scientists are also making strides in this field. Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, recently reported successful preclinical trials of a similar mRNA-based vaccine.
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