Scientists begin human trials of an individual cancer vaccine

An important trial of the world's first "personalized" mRNA vaccine against the most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma, is underway in the UK. Scientists have started the last stage of the trial. The mRNA-4157 (V940) vaccine is an individualized therapy – its composition changes according to the characteristics of each patient.

This was reported by SSPDaily.

Steve Young, a 52-year-old man from the British city of Stevenage, who had a tumor removed from his scalp in August 2023, is one of the first patients to try the vaccine.

Steve Young had a lump on his head for many years before realizing it was cancer. He said the diagnosis was a "big shock" for him.

"I literally spent two weeks just thinking 'this is it,'" he said.

The mRNA vaccine is designed to help his immune system recognize and destroy any remaining cancer cells.

The mRNA-4157 (V940) vaccine uses the same technology as the Covid-19 vaccines and is being tested in the last stage of Phase III trials.

To personalize the vaccine, scientists use artificial intelligence to analyze genes from a patient's tumor sample. The result is a special injectable drug that matches the characteristics of the patient's malignancy. Later on, mRNA-4157 (V940) is used in combination with other drugs.

"It is absolutely individualized for the patient – we cannot give this vaccine to the next patient in line, because it will not work. These things are extremely technical and precisely tailored to the patient," says Dr. Heather Shaw, a researcher at University College London.

The vaccine is designed to match the unique genetic signature of an individual patient's tumor and works by instructing the body to produce proteins or antibodies that attack markers or antigens found only on those cancer cells.

The UK portion of the international vaccine trial aims to enroll at least 60-70 patients in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Leeds.

To ensure the best possible outcome, patients participating in the trial must have had high-risk melanoma surgically removed within the last 12 weeks.