By Catherine Bouris

Leading Australian scientists are at the forefront of a foundational shift in oncology after overseeing a world-first clinical trial that could fundamentally change global cancer treatment.

Led by former Australian of the Year Professor Georgina Long, the trial involved deploying an mRNA-based vaccine designed to decrease the risk of melanoma returning in patients who had it surgically removed.

It included 1137 patients whose melanoma was at very high risk of returning and had not previously received any cancer drug treatment.

In patients who received the vaccine, the risk of death or recurrence was reduced by 42 per cent.

Describing the results as “pretty remarkable,” Australian mRNA Cancer Vaccine Hub director Associate Professor Seth Cheetham told AAP the results were the first of their kind.

“It’s a pretty substantial breakthrough in treatment of melanoma, and hopefully will be able to be used for other kinds of cancer,” he said.

“What makes this unique is it’s the first really individualised medicine like this, where they’re making a unique drug for each patient.”

While the results could mean dramatically improved outcomes for melanoma patients, Assoc Prof Cheetham said they also signalled a new era for all cancer patients.

“We’re not just taking a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer treatment, we’re really having a tailored and individualised treatment that can really take into consideration the unique properties of each person’s unique tumours.”

The findings mark a foundational shift in how cancer can be treated going forward, according to Prof Long.

“This has not been achieved before in the history of cancer drug development. It is the coming together of technology, our biological understanding of cancer and the immune system, and the courage to take this idea into the clinic,” she said.

Melanoma is one of the most common forms of cancer in Australia, with one person being diagnosed with the disease every 30 minutes, and one person dying every six hours.

It is the most common cancer among Australians aged 20 to 39.

Prof Long, who serves as the medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia, was named Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside Professor Richard Scolyer as a result of her efforts to combat melanoma.

The pair used their acceptance speech to urge Australians to be sun-smart.

“In most cases, melanoma is preventable with sun-safe behaviour, and prevention is always better than a cure,” Prof Scolyer said in their speech.

“We can love this sunburnt country without the sunburn,” Prof Long added.

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