Immunotherapy and mRNA vaccines advance melanoma treatment

Immunotherapy has fundamentally transformed the treatment of Stage IV melanoma since 2011, extending the survival rate for half of all patients by ten years or more. Unlike previous chemotherapy methods, which were largely ineffective for this type of cancer, immunotherapy uses antibodies to enable the body's own immune system to attack cancer cells.

At the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology congress in Vienna, researchers highlighted the development of personalized mRNA vaccines designed to prevent relapses. These vaccines are not intended to fight existing melanomas but to stop cancer from returning after initial treatment. The process involves analyzing tissue cells from the patient's tumor to create a custom vaccine, a process that takes approximately six weeks. These mRNA vaccines are currently in Phase III clinical trials.

Medical experts also noted the high prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancer, stating that nearly every second person over the age of 60 is affected due to long-term UV damage. Prevention through avoiding sunburn and excessive sun exposure remains a critical recommendation.