In a remarkable advancement in the world of cancer treatment, a team at Edith Cowan University (ECU) has achieved encouraging results from a trial where a patient-specific mRNA vaccine was combined with traditional immunotherapy for treating patients with high-risk melanoma. This unique approach has demonstrated a considerable enhancement in cancer-free survival rates and a reduction in disease recurrence, potentially heralding a new era in customized cancer care.
By integrating a personalized mRNA vaccine, crafted to match a patient’s unique tumor genetics, with standard immunotherapy, survival rates have seen a significant boost while instances of high-risk skin cancers reappearing have been reduced. This groundbreaking approach offers fresh hope to patients who have had these malignancies excised.
The international trials, aiming to radically transform cancer treatment and save numerous lives, are spearheaded by the ECU scientists.
Clinical Professor Adnan Khattak of ECU’s Centre for Precision Health recently showcased the latest findings from these trials at the 2023 American Society of Oncology (ASCO) congress in Chicago, the biggest global gathering for cancer treatment, attracting over 45,000 attendees.
Professor Khattak emphasized that the integration of an mRNA vaccine, tailored to a patient’s tumor genetics, with regular immunotherapy treatment significantly improved survival rates and lowered the recurrence of disease among patients who had high-risk skin cancers (melanomas) excised.
After 18 months, the survival rate without cancer recurrence among patients who received both the vaccine and immunotherapy was 78.6 percent, compared to 62.2 percent for those who only underwent immunotherapy.
Two years post-treatment, just 22.4 percent of patients who received the vaccine-immunotherapy combination had either passed away or experienced a recurrence of the disease, as opposed to 40 percent in the immunotherapy-only group.
On average, after two years, those who were administered the vaccine experienced a 44 percent reduction in the risk of death or melanoma reappearing in the same area of the body and a 65 percent drop in the risk of death or the cancer returning in a different area of the body.
Importantly, there was no noticeable increase in rates of adverse side effects.
The trial was initiated to address the shortcomings of current treatments, according to Professor Khattak.
Explaining the limitations of the present standard of care, which involves using an antibody called pembrolizumab, he highlighted that about half of the patients will relapse at five years. Moreover, he said that this approach is very unsophisticated as it involves administering the same drug to 10 new high-risk melanoma patients, despite the fact that it will not work for all and side effects may vary.
He said, “This is the biggest trial to show treatment improves with an individualized approach — and I think research into personal cancer vaccines is going to increase dramatically after this positive study.”
Typically, vaccines are used for disease prevention. However, in this context, the mRNA vaccine is used to treat patients who have already been diagnosed with melanoma.
Tissue samples are collected and analyzed to identify neoantigens, proteins that form on cancer cells, which are unique to an individual’s tumor. These neoantigens, up to 34 may be identified, are then added to an mRNA molecule and incorporated into a vaccine.
This results in a personalized cancer treatment strategy where the neoantigens that are most likely to stimulate an immune response are used to assist the patient’s body in combating the cancer.
According to Professor Khattak, the treatment appears to be more effective after an extended period of time and requires multiple doses.
He said, “Some patients have fairly resistant tumors that aren’t going to respond to either of the treatments. But after the first 40 weeks, by then the patients have had two or three vaccine doses and the anti-tumor effect really kicks in.”
He is soon going to lead a new global trial of the treatment, with his clinic in Perth, Western Australia having recruited the most participants worldwide.
The upcoming trial will include more participants, some with earlier stages of melanoma.
“Stage two and stage three patients combined constitute quite a significant proportion of patients who could be potentially cured, rather than waiting for them to develop metastatic or advanced disease where most of them will not be curable,” he added.
If successful, the trial could be the foundation of a new approach to cancer treatment, beyond just melanoma.
“This is going to be the stepping stone for a number of trials,” Professor Khattak said. “Because now they have expanded it into lung cancer, kidney cancers, and also into gastrointestinal cancers. This has the potential of becoming a new standard of care moving forward.”
Further details about the trial can be obtained by contacting One Clinical Research. The research was funded by Moderna, Merck Sharp and Dohme.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Personalized mRNA Vaccines
What is the novel approach to cancer treatment being studied at Edith Cowan University?
Edith Cowan University is conducting a groundbreaking study on personalized mRNA vaccines. The researchers use an individual’s tumor genetics to create a patient-specific mRNA vaccine, which is then combined with traditional immunotherapy to treat high-risk melanoma patients.
Who is leading the global trials for this new cancer treatment?
The global trials are being led by Clinical Professor Adnan Khattak from the Centre for Precision Health at Edith Cowan University.
What are the results of the trial so far?
After 18 months, the survival rate without cancer recurrence among patients who received both the vaccine and immunotherapy was 78.6 percent, compared to 62.2 percent for those who only underwent immunotherapy. Two years post-treatment, just 22.4 percent of patients who received the vaccine-immunotherapy combination had either passed away or experienced a recurrence of the disease, compared to 40 percent in the immunotherapy-only group.
How is the personalized mRNA vaccine prepared?
Tissue samples from the patient are analyzed to identify proteins called neoantigens that form on cancer cells and are unique to an individual’s tumor. These neoantigens are then added to an mRNA molecule and incorporated into a vaccine, creating a personalized cancer treatment.
Are there any adverse side effects from this treatment?
According to the trial results, there has been no significant increase in rates of adverse side effects due to this treatment.
What are the future prospects of this new cancer treatment approach?
If successful, this personalized mRNA vaccine approach could become a new standard of care, not just for melanoma, but also for other cancers such as lung, kidney, and gastrointestinal cancers. It is expected to be the stepping stone for numerous future trials.
More about Personalized mRNA Vaccines
- Edith Cowan University Research
- American Society of Oncology
- Moderna
- Merck Sharp and Dohme
- One Clinical Research
- Personalized Cancer Vaccines
- mRNA Vaccines
- Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment
8 comments
Unbelievable progress!! Can’t wait to see this approach expand into other cancers as well. Keep going, scientists!
This sounds promising, but don’t get to excited. There’s still a long way to go. Clinical trials, FDA approvals, cost… long way to go.
the fact that there were no significant side effects is really something. We’re living in a world where we can genetically tailor vaccines. Unreal.
Personalized medicine is the future, I’m telling ya! Imagine a world where cancer is no longer a death sentence. Amazing work, ECU!
my mom battled melanoma. wish this was around then. Hoping it’ll save lives in future. Well done ECU!
If this really works it will be a revolution in cancer treatment. Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone battling this dreadful disease.
Absolutely incredible, i can’t believe the progress in cancer treatment these days. Keep up the amazing work scientists, you’re our real heroes!!
Wow this is huge news!! A custom vaccine for each person’s cancer… it’s like a sci-fi movie. really hope it works out, could be a game changer.