Novel Cancer Vaccine Prevents Melanoma From Returning in First for mRNA
The combination met its main and secondary goals in a Phase III trial of 1,137 patients, with no new safety concerns reported.
- On Wednesday, Merck and Moderna reported their personalized mRNA vaccine, Intismeran, combined with Keytruda reduced melanoma recurrence compared with Keytruda alone, marking the first positive late-stage trial results for an mRNA cancer vaccine.
- The ongoing Phase III trial randomized 1,137 patients with high-risk stage IIB through IV melanoma to receive Keytruda plus up to nine vaccine doses or Keytruda alone, building on earlier mid-stage findings.
- Moderna tailors each vaccine to the individual patient by analyzing mutations within their tumor, a highly targeted design requiring up to nine doses to administer the Intismeran treatment effectively.
- Following the announcement, Moderna shares jumped 40% and Merck rose 2%, with the companies reporting no new safety concerns and that the treatment met primary and secondary trial endpoints.
- January data showed the combination reduced melanoma recurrence or death risk by 49% after five years; the companies plan to present new data at an upcoming medical conference and share results with regulators.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Moderna, Merck ‘personalized’ cancer vaccine succeeds in late-stage melanoma trial
Merck and Moderna’s experimental personalized cancer vaccine has shown promising success in Melanoma’s first-ever late-stage trial. The landmark success in the trial has brought the...
Moderna, Merck mRNA melanoma vaccine succeeds in first late-stage cancer trial
Personalized vaccine Intismeran combined with Keytruda reduced melanoma recurrence and spread in 1,137 high-risk patients, marking the first positive late-stage trial for an mRNA cancer vaccine
Novel Cancer Vaccine Prevents Melanoma From Returning in First for mRNA
An experimental mRNA-based vaccine succeeded in preventing cancer from coming back or spreading in a study of high-risk melanoma patients, Moderna and its partner Merck said Wednesday, paving the way for a potentially new life-extending treatment for the thousands of people diagnosed with the deadly skin cancer each year. The study looked at people who had surgery to remove a melanoma—the point of the treatment was to reduce the risk of it coming back.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
