Moderna, Merck Cut Melanoma Recurrence in 1,000-Patient mRNA Trial
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 20
Moderna, Merck Cut Melanoma Recurrence in 1,000-Patient mRNA Trial
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 20
Summary
A late-stage trial met its main goal, with Moderna and Merck’s personalized vaccine plus Keytruda preventing melanoma from returning after surgery more often than Keytruda alone.
The combination also slowed the cancer’s spread to new parts of the body, extending evidence that the treatment can improve outcomes beyond recurrence control.
More than 1,000 patients with stage 2, 3 or 4 melanoma were enrolled, making the result one of the strongest tests yet for a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine.
The data revive hopes for mRNA technology after setbacks elsewhere and raise expectations that personalized vaccines could become a new approach against high-risk skin cancer.