ICYMI: BREAKTHROUGH MELANOMA VACCINE HIGHLIGHTS PROMISE OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH THAT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY PROP 38

SACRAMENTO, NV, UNITED STATES, August 21, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A potentially groundbreaking new cancer vaccine is offering the latest evidence of how immunology research can transform the future of cancer treatment, showing exactly why California needs to pass Proposition 38, the Immunology Medical Research & Cures Initiative on California’s November ballot. This measure, which is backed by leading cancer advocacy groups, will provide $8.4 billion to further scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatments, as well as treatments for Alzheimer’s, heart disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, ALS and other serious illnesses.

The New York Times reported this week that an experimental personalized mRNA vaccine helped prevent high-risk melanoma from returning or spreading when combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. Researchers called the findings a potentially significant step toward a new generation of cancer treatments that harness a patient’s own immune system to fight disease.

This scientific breakthrough shows the enormous promise of immunology and immunotherapy research, and it is why leading cancer patient advocacy organizations and patients are supporting YES on Prop 38.

"Immunotherapy is changing the future of cancer care, but patients can’t afford for research to slow down," said Gina Carithers, President and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. "We urgently need sustained investment to accelerate breakthroughs and bring more life-saving treatments to patients and families.”

Among the cancer advocacy organizations backing Prop 38 are the Melanoma Research Alliance, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Blood Cancer United, GO2 for Lung Cancer, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, International Myeloma Foundation, Kidney Cancer Association, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Liver Coalition, Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, California Colorectal Cancer Coalition and City of Hope. Together, these organizations represent patients and families confronting melanoma, prostate, lung, blood, colorectal, liver, kidney, bladder and other cancers.

This week’s medical breakthrough in developing a cancer vaccine demonstrates what cancer patients and advocates have long understood: sustained medical research can turn once-unimaginable ideas into treatments that give patients more hope and more time. It is also why patient advocates say maintaining investment in medical research is critical at a time of uncertainty surrounding federal research funding.

“As a four-time cancer survivor, I’ve seen firsthand how years of scientific research can transform a patient’s future,” said Lila Javan, Immunotherapy Patient and Cancer Survivor. “Immunotherapies gave me more hope and more time – something every patient and their family deserves.”

Prop 38 comes at a critical moment as federal research funding cuts and uncertainty threaten to delay medical research, clinical trials and future breakthroughs. The measure will create a stable source of funding for scientists and medical experts working to advance life-saving treatments and cures.

Prop 38 is designed to pay for itself. Ten percent of all proceeds from the licensing of immunotherapies must be returned to California to offset the measure’s total costs, including interest. Additionally, any cure or immunotherapy developed will be provided to California patients at a 20 percent discount. Prop 38 also includes strict accountability requirements, including:

2 percent cap on state administrative expenses
Public disclosure of spending
Independent financial audits
For-profit corporations are not eligible for grant funding

YES on Prop 38 is supported by a broad coalition of patient advocates, doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers and medical organizations working on behalf of Californians affected by cancer and other devastating diseases.

Learn more at YESon38.com, including a full coalition list and what supporters are saying.

Robin Swanson
Yes on Prop 38
Press@YesOn38.com
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