Moderna and Merck Unveil Breakthrough mRNA Cancer Vaccine

December 23, 1971 marked the start of the 'war on cancer' when President Richard M. Nixon signed the National Cancer Act.

The legislation committed $1.5 billion over three years to expand the National Cancer Institute and create new research centers, a goal that would eventually cost the federal government an estimated $200-$300 billion in research alone.

Despite progress in early detection, treatments, and a decline in smoking-related cancer deaths, 30 million Americans have died of cancer over the past 55 years.

However, last week's joint announcement by pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Merck heralds a new era in oncology with the development of an mRNA cancer vaccine that significantly slows melanoma recurrence when combined with immunotherapy drug Keytruda.