Fran Aya

It was a great honour to present the results of the phase 3 INTerpath-001 clinical trial at the #ESMO26 Congress in Madrid. This international trial included 1137 patients, across 157 sites, whose melanoma had been surgically removed, but who were at very high risk of it returning. The trial showed adding #intismeran autogene, an mRNA based individualised neoantigen therapy, to pembrolizumab reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42%. This is the first phase 3 study to show that a treatment built from the unique ‘fingerprint’ of a patient’s own tumour can reduce the risk of recurrence or death from cancer. That fingerprint is read by sequencing the tumour, then a ‘wanted poster’ of the cancer is made as mRNA, showing the immune system exactly what to look for and attack. Having succeeded in melanoma, this proof of concept could mark the beginning of a foundational shift in how we treat cancer. Read more >melanoma.org.au/news/persona… A huge thank you to all patients and teams involved. @myESMO @Sydney_Uni @syd_health @Science_Academy @AAHMS_health @FulbrightAUS @NthSydHealth @ausoftheyear

Fabulous Sydney Sunday morning for Melanoma March 2026 - the 15th year of Australia-wide marches. Our goal is to cure more people with #melanoma by raising funds for critical research & clinical #trials, remember loved ones and those living with melanoma, and put ourselves at @MelanomaAus out of a job by raising awareness that most melanoma is preventable by following sun safety. I love a good swim, run, cycle, basketball game, swim at the beach, but we can do it safely: shade, clothing, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Critically, drugs we develop in melanoma impact other #cancer. melanomamarch.org.au @Sydney_Uni @ausoftheyear @AAHMS_health @Science_Academy @FulbrightAUS @SydneyMedsoc

A warm welcome to the melanoma specialists of the future! #fellowship