Belief a global skin cancer vaccine trial could lead to a cure

Up to 40 New Zealanders could be involved in the trial - with involves a personalised mRNA melanoma vaccine for each patient.

Doctors work genetic information from the patient's healthy and cancerous cells into the dose.

Melanoma New Zealand oncologist, Doctor Rosalie Stephens, says it's a promising strategy.

She says for now, the goal is preventing recurrence.

She says it aims to improve existing standards of care, and stimulate an immune attack on melanoma cells left behind after surgery.