By Allison Sit
Researchers in the U.K. are part of an international team conducting a phase III clinical trial of a melanoma mRNA vaccine. The study assesses the efficacy of a combination immunotherapy protocol in patients with melanoma who are at a high risk of recurrence. A previous study of mRNA-4157 plus pembrolizumab showed recurrence-free survival was longer with the combination therapy than with pembrolizumab alone.
“This is one of the most exciting developments in modern cancer therapy,” said Lawrence Young, professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, in a statement. (Young is not involved in the trial.) “Interest in cancer vaccines has been reignited in recent years by a deeper understanding of how the body controls immune responses and by the advent of mRNA vaccines which makes developing a vaccine based on the immune profile of a patient’s own tumor much more straightforward. The hope is that this approach could be extended to other cancers such those of the lung and colon.”
Results of an American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) survey found an increasing number of Americans are reporting receiving a sunburn despite knowing how to protect their skin. In the survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, more than one third reported getting a sunburn in 2023, which is the highest figure since 2020. Of those who reported a sunburn, one third reported that it was severe enough to make wearing clothes uncomfortable.
“It’s extremely concerning to see so many people unnecessarily putting themselves at risk of developing skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States,” said Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, president of the AAD. “Data shows a staggering truth: one in five Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. Everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer, especially if they don’t take the necessary precautions.”
They survey also found the prevalence of sunburn was greater in outdoor workers. Half of outdoor workers surveyed were sunburned in 2023, compared to 36% of the general American population. One in 10 outdoor workers reported sunburns severe enough to cause blisters, which was double that of the general population.
La Roche-Posay, the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) and the Department of Dermatology at Howard University announced the recipient of the 2023 Diversity in Dermatology Fellowship. Dr. Helen Bui is a first-generation college graduate with a background in hidradenitis suppurativa research. Dr. Bui is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
“As an aspiring dermatologist, I am dedicated to addressing the critical gaps in dermatologic care and research, with a special focus on skin of color and health disparities in marginalized communities,” Dr. Bui said. “The Diversity in Dermatology Fellowship has equipped me with the means to pursue these aspirations by conducting clinical trials in inflammatory skin conditions and investigating skin biomarkers for potential targeted therapies.”
The first-of-its-kind fellowship was created in 2022 to support Underrepresented in Medicine (UIM) candidates who are seeking additional clinical or research experience in dermatology at Howard prior to applying to residency.
