🧬 The Breakthrough Edition #002
Personalized Melanoma Vaccine Shows Promise in Reducing Cancer Recurrence
Results from a phase 3 clinical trial treating patients diagnosed with a high risk skin cancer are in, and the results look promising, which could indicate a significant change for treatment in the future.
So, what is all the noise about. Melanoma the most aggressive and dangerous type of skin cancer (according to the American Cancer Society), is more likely to spread to other parts of the body, than some other skin cancer types, if it is not caught early. Melanoma is less common than some other types of skin cancer, but it is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body and accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths.
There are several different types of Melanoma. Nodular, Lentigo and ALM are a few subtypes. According to the Skin Care Foundation, legendary reggae artist Bob Marley died from a rare and aggressive form of ALM in 1981 ( ALM is a rare melanoma subtype that can occur on the palms, soles, and beneath the nails and is not necessarily associated with sun exposure). So what are some of the causes of Melanoma:
The Legendary Reggae Artist Bob Marley
Main Causes and Risk Factors
UV Radiation: Unprotected exposure to sunlight and tanning beds damages skin cell DNA.
Blistering Sunburns: A history of severe, blistering sunburns significantly increases risk.
Skin Type: People with fair skin, freckles, or light hair have less protective melanin, though anyone can get it.
Mole Count: Having a high number of moles or unusual (atypical) moles elevates danger levels
For a deeper dive into risk factors, differences in skin cancer types and treatment options I’ve inserted a easy to watch and informative link to a podcast from dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In the podcast you’ll hear from a Latino melanoma survivor and a discussion on the importance of screening and early detection in communities of color.
So let’s get back to what have scientist in the clinical trial discovered. Researchers have indicated that a vaccine given to patients in combination with an immunotherapy drug (Keytruda) has extended the length of time these patients were cancer free, but it's unclear for how long, according to an announcement. The result is a personalised anti-cancer jab which is specific to the patient's tumor and instructs the immune system to recognize and attack any tumor cells that remain.
So what can patients and the public take away from this breakthrough?
New personalized treatment options are being developed that target individual tumor's molecular characteristics / tumor-specific antigens or neoantigens. This is what I’m talking about when I mention precision oncology. Instead of giving every patient exactly the same treatment, researchers are developing therapies designed around the unique characteristics of an individual's tumor.
The vaccine combined with immunotherapy, reduces the risk of skin cancer returning or spreading (according to the research).
Research is continuing and although the vaccine is not FDA approved or available I look forward to the final published results and a possible new treatment option on the horizon.
What This Does NOT Mean
This does not mean there is now a personalized melanoma vaccine available to everyone.
The treatment is still being studied, and regulatory approval and broader availability will depend on the complete clinical trial results and review by regulatory authorities.
It also does not mean cancer vaccines will work the same way for every cancer. Different cancers have different biology, which is why researchers are studying these approaches across multiple tumor types.
Hugs.
Karen
*This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Seek guidance on treatment options including clinical trials with your medical team.
References: 1-American Cancer Society: Types of Melanoma, 2- Skin Care Foundation: Blog, Bob Marley, 3- Memorial Sloan Kettering Podcast: Cancer Straight Talk, What Everyone Should Know About Skin Cancer Risk, 4-ASCO Pubs: Intismeran Autogene Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone in High-Risk Resected Melanoma. 5- Targeted Oncology: Adjuvant Intismeran/Pembro Shows Durable Benefit at 5 Years in Melanoma
