Personalized vaccine helped melanoma patients stay cancer-free longer, drugmakers say
The personalized mRNA shot cut melanoma recurrence risk in a 1,137-patient study, while Moderna shares more than doubled after the announcement.
- Last Wednesday, Moderna and Merck revealed that a 1,137-volunteer study showed their vaccine reduced the risk that surgically removed melanoma would return or spread, combining Messenger RNA technology with Keytruda.
- Unlike older vaccines that targeted proteins also found in healthy tissues, scientists designed this vaccine to train the immune system to recognize specific mutations in a patient's cancer.
- Paz-Ares, head of the Medical Oncology Department at the Octubre University Hospital in Madrid, noted the trial focused on high-risk stage 2 to 4 melanomas; an earlier, smaller trial showed the combined treatment reduced relapse or death risk by 49%.
- Moderna shares have more than doubled in value following the announcement, representing tens of billions in market capitalization, while MSD has seen its share price rise by about 10%.
- Because cancer is many diseases, scientists must assign a different strategy to each one rather than expecting a single cure for all; widespread application also remains difficult, as these treatments can cost more than $115,000.
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A personalized mRNA vaccine after surgery helps the immune system recognize cancer cells and reduces the risk of melanoma recurrence.
Moderna and Merck Report Positive Phase 3 Results for Personalized Cancer Therapy
Moderna and Merck are advancing an investigational personalized mRNA cancer therapy, intismeran autogene, in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), following positive Phase 3 results in patients with high-risk melanoma. The individualized treatment is designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells based on characteristics of each patient’s tumor. Image for illustration purposes. Mega Doctor News Mega Doctor News Modern…
The first therapeutic vaccine that could actually help treat cancer. Moderna and Merck last week presented results from late-stage clinical trials that reveal a major milestone – the intismeran vaccine, given together with the drug Keytruda, showed the ability to prevent relapse and...
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