The international phase three trial, involving over 1,000 high-risk melanoma patients, found that combining a personalised vaccine with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda reduced the risk of patients dying or their skin cancer returning by 42%. The combination also reduced the risk of melanoma spreading by 38% over two years compared to immunotherapy alone.
Tony Chapman, 75, a retired businessman from North Northamptonshire, was one of the trial participants. Diagnosed with stage three melanoma in 2019, he underwent surgery and lymph node removal. Since completing treatment at the NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility last year, Mr Chapman remains cancer-free. He described the findings as “groundbreaking” and expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to scientific research.
The vaccine, known as Intismeran, uses mRNA technology. A fragment of the patient’s tumour is sequenced to create a unique vaccine designed to target remaining cancer cells post-surgery. Developed by Merck and Moderna, the full trial results are expected to be presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference in Madrid on Saturday. The results have yet to be peer-reviewed and require regulatory approval before potential NHS availability.
“"The personalised cancer vaccine uses exciting technology to stimulate the patient’s own immune system to recognise and attack any tumour cells remaining after surgery. It is a whole new approach to cancer treatment which is designed to improve outcomes compared with standard anticancer drug treatments that don't take into account individual differences, and this trial was the first proof of principle."
Consultant medical oncologist Pippa Corrie, who led the trial at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and is Affiliated Professor at the University of Cambridge, explained the vaccine's mechanism. This personalised approach aligns with the planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, aiming to integrate research and clinical care.
Seven years after his diagnosis, Mr Chapman is optimistic about the future, with his hospital check-ups now reduced to every six months.
