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The Happy Pod: Personalised cancer vaccine shows promise in major trial

A new personalised cancer vaccine given alongside an immunotherapy drug has cut the risk of patients dying or their skin cancer returning by 42% in a global clinical trial.

A new personalised skin cancer vaccine has been found to reduce the risk of patients dying or their cancer returning by 42%. As part of a global two-year clinical trial, more than 1,000 patients who had already had their tumours removed were given a widely used immunotherapy drug. Around two-thirds were then given the experimental vaccine, which was developed using cells from their own tumours. Researchers say the results could mark a turning point in cancer treatment.

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(Photo: A man receives a personalised vaccine as part of a global cancer treatment trial. Credit: Addenbrooke's Hospital)

Presenter: Helena Burke
Music: Iona Hampson

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