Merck and Moderna's mRNA Melanoma Vaccine Shows Promising Results
MERCK AND MODERNA ANNOUNCE PROMISING RESULTS IN TRIAL OF PERSONALIZED mRNA CANCER VACCINE
The two pharmaceutical companies have announced that their trial of a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine has shown promising results in delaying the recurrence of melanoma. The trial involved 1,137 high-risk patients and found that when combined with Keytruda, the vaccine delayed melanoma recurrence. This is the first phase 3 randomized trial to show a neoantigen vaccine can reduce cancer recurrence.
The vaccine uses mRNA technology to target specific mutations in a person's tumor and has been shown to be safe and effective in combination with existing treatments. The companies have not released specific efficacy numbers but plan to share them at an upcoming medical meeting and with regulators.
According to Georgina Long, the study's principal investigator, 'Today's results represent a landmark moment for adjuvant melanoma treatment.' She added that the vaccine has the potential to establish a new treatment paradigm in the adjuvant melanoma setting, helping patients remain cancer-free for longer.