Novel mRNA cancer vaccine cuts melanoma tumor return risk by 42%

A novel cancer vaccine using mRNA technology has been shown to significantly reduce the chances that melanoma patients' tumors return, according to a major study released by Moderna and Merck, reported by click2houston.com and aol.com.

The vaccine, named intismeran, is custom-made for each patient to match their tumor and is added to standard post-surgery treatment. This combination reduced the risk of melanoma returning by 42% two years after surgery, according to the most advanced study of this cancer-fighting strategy to date, clickondetroit.com noted.

The vaccine uses the same Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology that was behind COVID-19 vaccines, making it a first-of-its-kind personalized cancer vaccine, click2houston.com explained.

Dr. Hussein Tawbi of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, a researcher involved in the international study, described the result as a major breakthrough for the field, click2houston.com reported.