Jakarta, ThedailyID — A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck has shown promising results in reducing the risk of melanoma recurrence and spread in a late-stage clinical trial.
The vaccine, called Intismeran, was tested alongside Merck’s Keytruda immunotherapy. Researchers said the combination met its main goal of reducing cancer recurrence compared with Keytruda alone.
The trial involved 1,137 patients with high-risk stage IIB to IV melanoma whose tumors had been surgically removed. Participants received up to nine doses of the personalized vaccine combined with Keytruda or Keytruda alone over roughly one year.
The vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize specific mutations found in a patient’s cancer cells. The immune system can then target and destroy cells carrying those mutations.
Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy CEO Karen Knudsen described the results as an early sign of a potential new era in cancer treatment.
“These positive results take us into the next phase of immunotherapy. This is a promising beginning, and this is where it all starts,” Knudsen said, as cited by Reuters, Tuesday (25/08).
The study also met a secondary goal of reducing the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. However, the companies have not yet released the full clinical data.
Overall survival data, another secondary endpoint, also remains unavailable. Moderna and Merck said they would present detailed findings at a future medical meeting.
Earlier results released in January showed the combination reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% after five years in a mid-stage trial.
Moderna President Stephen Hoge said thousands of high-risk melanoma patients could potentially benefit from the treatment as early as next year if regulators approve it.
