The same mRNA technology used in COVID vaccines can significantly increase the survival of patients with an aggressive form of skin cancer, according to new results.

Data released by the biotech company Moderna show that melanoma patients given an existing immunotherapy drug called Keytruda were 44% less likely to die or suffer a recurrence of the cancer if they were also given the vaccine.

The personalised jab was made using genetic material from individual patients’ tumour cells, priming their immune system to be on the watch for the first signs of the cancer returning.

The phase 2 trial involved 157 patients with advanced stage 3 or 4 melanoma who had previously had surgery to remove the tumour.

Patients were given nine doses of the vaccine, code-named mRNA-4157/V940, over a year.

Moderna and Merck, the company that makes Keytruda, will forge ahead with a larger late-stage clinical trial starting next year.

Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s chief executive officer, said: “Today’s results are highly encouraging for the field of cancer treatment.

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“mRNA has been transformative for COVID-19, and now, for the first time ever, we have demonstrated the potential for mRNA to have an impact on outcomes in a randomized clinical trial in melanoma.”

Response is ‘very exciting’

Scientists are optimistic that mRNA vaccines will improve survival rates in many cancers that are currently hard to beat.

Earlier this year, Sky News revealed promising results from a vaccine trial on patients with head and neck cancer at the Clatterbridge Hospital in Liverpool.

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Prof Andrew Beggs, MRC senior clinical fellow and consultant colorectal surgeon at University of Birmingham, said: “The use of the game-changing mRNA vaccine technology in increasing response to immunotherapy drugs is very exciting.

“Although early data, it is very encouraging that this is a likely effective treatment option.

“This advance is likely to have important implications for metastatic cancer patients in the future, and opens a new therapeutic avenue for these patients.”

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