Moderna and Merck's Personalized Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Late-Stage Melanoma Trial
In a recent advanced clinical trial involving 1,137 patients with surgically excised advanced melanoma, the personalized cancer vaccine intismeran from Moderna and Merck, when paired with pembrolizumab (Keytruda), demonstrated a notable decrease in melanoma recurrence. Participants were divided equally, with one group receiving the vaccine alongside pembrolizumab and the other receiving a placebo with pembrolizumab. Findings revealed improved cancer-free survival rates and a reduction in new lesions for those on the combination treatment. While the companies labeled the results as 'clinically meaningful,' they have yet to disclose comprehensive data, intending to share insights at an upcoming medical conference. This follows a midstage trial that reported a 49% decline in recurrence over five years. Melanoma is responsible for approximately 8,510 deaths each year in the US.
Key facts
- Moderna and Merck announced results of a late-stage trial for personalized cancer vaccine intismeran.
- The vaccine is combined with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to prevent melanoma recurrence.
- Trial included 1,137 patients with advanced melanoma that had been surgically removed.
- Half received intismeran plus pembrolizumab, half received placebo plus pembrolizumab.
- Results showed longer survival without cancer recurrence and fewer new lesions in the vaccine group.
- Companies described results as 'clinically meaningful' but did not release detailed data.
- Earlier midstage trial showed 49% reduction in recurrence or spread after five years.
- Vaccine uses mRNA technology and is personalized based on tumor sequencing.
- Experts say results are promising and could apply to other cancers.
- Melanoma causes an estimated 8,510 deaths per year in the US.
Entities
Institutions
- Moderna
- Merck
- Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine
- Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center
- American Association for Cancer Research
- STAT
- Reuters
- Nature
- CNN
Locations
- United States
- Longmont, Colorado