Merck and Moderna's Intismeran Combo Tops Keytruda in Melanoma Trial

Merck and Moderna have announced positive results from their Phase 3 trial of intismeran autogene plus Keytruda as an adjuvant treatment for patients with completely resected stage IIB-IV cutaneous melanoma. The INTerpath-001 trial met its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and the key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS).

The combination demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in both endpoints compared with Keytruda alone, according to Merck and Moderna. This is the first positive Phase 3 readout for an individualized neoantigen therapy and for an mRNA-based cancer therapy.

Georgina Long, principal investigator of INTerpath-001 and Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia, said: 'Today's results represent a landmark moment for adjuvant melanoma treatment.'