Moderna and Merck report experimental melanoma vaccine delays recurrence in late-stage trial
An mRNA-based personalized vaccine combined with Merck's Keytruda showed interim evidence of extending disease-free time for high-risk melanoma patients, according to a company release.
Moderna and Merck announced Wednesday that an experimental personalized vaccine, Intismeran, combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, appeared to lengthen the interval before melanoma returned in a late-stage study of patients who had undergone surgical removal of the tumor. The interim data, which have not yet undergone peer review, will be presented at an upcoming medical conference and submitted to regulators for further evaluation.
The trial involved high-risk melanoma patients and tested the mRNA-based vaccine’s ability to target neoantigens—abnormal proteins on cancer cells—to stimulate an immune response. Earlier presentations at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting indicated the approach reduced the five-year risk of recurrence by roughly half, findings that were also reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
"These Phase 3 findings represent a pivotal moment for the field of cancer research," said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, in the release.
The companies said the study will continue to monitor overall survival outcomes. Moderna’s shares rose sharply in pre-market trading following the announcement, while Merck’s stock also increased.