In case you missed it, this spring, the UK began trialling a groundbreaking vaccine for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. This new jab utilises the same mRNA technology as current COVID-19 vaccines and is now in Phase III trials, the final stage before it can be approved by the UK’s medical regulator (the MHRA).

What sets this vaccine apart is its personalised nature; the exact composition is tailored to each individual patient. This customisation allows the vaccine to match the unique genetic make-up of a patient’s tumour, prompting the body to produce proteins or antibodies that specifically target the cancer cells.

The vaccine works by carrying coding for up to 34 neoantigens, which are new proteins formed on cancer cells due to DNA mutations. This triggers an anti-tumour response tailored to the specific mutations in each patient’s cancer. Phase III trials, led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), aim to recruit around 1,100 participants globally, with the UK targeting 60 to 70 patients across eight centres, including London, Manchester, and Leeds. Participants must have had high-risk melanoma surgically removed within the last 12 weeks for optimal results.

A Phase II trial previously demonstrated that the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence in melanoma patients. In that study, patients received 1mg of the mRNA vaccine every three weeks for up to nine doses, along with 200mg of the immunotherapy drug Keytruda every three weeks for a year.

Currently, melanoma treatment primarily involves surgery, with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other medications used less frequently. Dr Heather Shaw, the national coordinating investigator for the trial, emphasised the personalised nature of the vaccine, noting that it is custom-built for each patient based on their tumour’s specific antigens. She expressed optimism about the potential of these personalised vaccines to revolutionise immunotherapy.

Melanoma affects approximately 15,400 people annually in the UK, according to the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. In England alone, there were 224,000 skin cancer cases in 2019 and over 1.4 million between 2013 and 2019, making it the most common cancer diagnosed in the country, according to NHS Digital.

Causes and Prevention of Melanoma

The main cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light from the sun and sunbeds. Risk factors include age, pale skin, a high number of moles, and a family history of skin cancer. Preventive measures include being cautious in the sun and regularly applying sunscreen.

Signs of Melanoma

Consult your doctor if you notice any of the following:

A mole that has changed in size, shape, or colour

A mole that is painful or itchy

A mole that is inflamed, bleeding, or crusty

A new or unusual mark on your skin that hasn’t disappeared after a few weeks

Stay vigilant and proactive in monitoring your skin for any changes.

 

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