# World-first cancer vaccine slashes death risk in stunning findings led by Aussie scientist

> Aussie scientist leads world-first cancer vaccine trial cutting melanoma death risk by 42%.
- Title: World-first cancer vaccine slashes death risk in stunning…
- Summary: Aussie scientist leads world-first cancer vaccine trial cutting melanoma death risk by 42%. World-first cancer vaccine trial led by Professor Georgina Long…
- Keywords: melanoma, cancer vaccine, georgina long, moderna, msd, intismeran, mrna, personalised medicine, melanoma institute australia, university of sydney, news, entertainment
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16231693/cancer-vaccine-trial-australia-georgina-long.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-22T23:44:53+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: melanoma, cancer vaccine, georgina long, moderna, msd, intismeran, mrna, personalised medicine, melanoma institute australia, university of sydney, news, entertainment
## World-first cancer vaccine trial
A Sydney scientist led a world-first cancer vaccine trial that dramatically reduced melanoma recurrence or death risk.
## 42% reduction in risk
The vaccine cut the risk of cancer recurrence or death by 42% compared with patients receiving only pembrolizumab.
## Vaccine developed by Moderna and MSD
The vaccine, known as intismeran, is being jointly developed by pharmaceutical companies Moderna and MSD.
## Personalised mRNA cancer vaccine
Intismeran is an individualised messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccine designed specifically for each patient based on their tumour's genetic characteristics.
## Targets neoantigens
The vaccine targets neoantigens, abnormal proteins that develop on cancer cells following genetic mutations.
## Professor Georgina Long
Professor Georgina Long, medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia and chair of melanoma medical oncology at the University of Sydney, led the trial.
## 42% risk reduction
The vaccine cut the risk of cancer recurrence or death by 42% compared with standard treatment.
## Personalised medicine breakthrough
Professor Long described the technology as a significant leap forward in cancer treatment combining personalised medicine with mRNA advances.
## Trial scale
The trial ran across 157 sites worldwide and involved 1,137 patients with surgically removed melanoma at high risk of recurrence.
## No prior treatment
None of the participants had previously received drug treatment for their cancer.
## Australian sites
The trial included sites in Australia such as Melanoma Institute Australia, Westmead Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
## Professor Long's background
Professor Long has dedicated her career to eliminating melanoma deaths and developing treatments for resistant cancers.
## Australian of the Year
In 2024, Professor Long was named Australian of the Year alongside her late colleague Professor Richard Scolyer.
## Associate Professor Seth Cheetham
Associate Professor Seth Cheetham, director of the Australian mRNA Cancer Vaccine Hub, called the findings a major breakthrough.
## First large trial
This is the first large trial showing definitively that the technology reduces recurrence or spread and improves outcomes compared to standard care.
## Potential for other cancers
Professor Long said the findings could have implications for melanoma and potentially other cancers.
## Key takeaway

World-first cancer vaccine trial led by Professor Georgina Long reduces melanoma recurrence or death risk by 42% compared to standard treatment.