Personalized Cancer Therapy Takes Shape with Merck-Moderna Collaboration

As cancer research advances, scientists are recognizing that each person's experience with cancer is unique, making one-size-fits-all treatments less effective. By studying the genetic makeup of a patient's tumor, researchers can identify individualized neoantigen therapies (INTs) to train their immune system to target specific cancer cells.

Merck and Moderna are collaborating on an innovative approach to cancer care, focusing on INTs that leverage mRNA technology. This personalized treatment is designed to activate the patient's immune cells against cancer cells with unique genetic mutations.

Researchers analyze a patient's blood and tumor samples to identify the best-suited neoantigens for their specific cancer. An INT is then created to target these specific cancer cells, making each treatment tailored to an individual patient's needs.

'Because the genetic makeup of a patient's cancer is unique to that person, we believe there is a need for innovative therapies that can be tailored to a patient's tumor,' said Dr. Vassiliki Karantza, Associate Vice President, Global Clinical Development, Merck Research Laboratories.