Argentina’s scientific community has achieved a landmark milestone with the introduction of Vaccimel, a therapeutic vaccine designed to treat melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
Developed by researchers from Conicet, this innovation marks a crucial moment in the regional expansion of personalized cellular therapies.
Vaccimel is now being administered under medical supervision at the María Curie Oncology Hospital in Buenos Aires.
According to the Pablo Cassará Laboratory, which manufactures it, the therapy is intended for patients with stage IIB, IIC, and IIIA melanoma—early phases associated with intermediate or high relapse risk. The laboratory is also coordinating with additional medical centers to broaden access and training.
Melanoma originates in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin. Its tendency to metastasize early makes it one of the most challenging skin cancers to treat.
Dr. Ana Clara Acosta, head of Oncologic Dermatology at the Ramos Mejía Hospital, emphasized the importance of having an ANMAT-approved therapy for high-risk patients. “The vaccine acts as adjuvant therapy, administered after initial surgery to reduce the chance of recurrence,” she explained.
The project began in the late 1980s under the leadership of José Mordoh, a senior Conicet researcher and director of the Fundación Cáncer Oncology Research Center. Inspired by Nobel laureates César Milstein and Ralph Steinman, Mordoh applied a translational medicine approach to move discoveries from the laboratory to clinical settings.
With contributions from the Leloir Institute, the Alexander Fleming Institute, and the María Curie Hospital—along with support from Fundación Sales—the team conducted more than three decades of preclinical and clinical studies. ANMAT approved the therapy in 2021, enabling its production at the Cassará facilities.
Unlike traditional preventive vaccines, Vaccimel is a therapeutic vaccine designed for patients already diagnosed with melanoma.
It stimulates the immune system to detect and destroy residual tumor cells. By delivering multiple tumor antigens, it induces a more robust immune response and limits the cancer’s ability to develop resistance.
The treatment consists of 13 doses administered over two years, shifting from an initial activation phase to long-term immune maintenance. Clinical trials showed that roughly 70% of early-stage patients avoided relapse, with fewer side effects compared to interferon.
Experts stress that early detection remains vital. Melanoma can appear even in sun-protected areas, and any changes in moles—shape, borders, color, size—should be assessed by a dermatologist. The ABCDE rule continues to be the most effective method for identifying suspicious lesions.
