A first-of-its-kind mRNA cancer vaccine developed by Merck and Moderna showed promising results in a trial involving 1,137 melanoma patients. Patients who received the vaccine after surgery were 42% less likely to experience cancer recurrence or die within two years compared to those who received a placebo.
The vaccine was administered alongside pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy drug, with about two-thirds of patients randomly assigned to receive the experimental vaccine in nine doses. The personalized vaccines included up to 34 neoantigens—new proteins expressed by the patient’s tumor—to stimulate an immune response.
"Everyone is very hopeful that this will be a new way to treat patients with melanoma," said Dr. Robert Vonderheide, president-elect of the American Association for Cancer Research. Dr. Marjorie Green, head of oncology clinical development at Merck, noted that the findings were originally scheduled for presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Madrid but were released early due to leaked data.
While the results are encouraging, the study has not yet demonstrated improved overall survival, the gold standard for cancer treatments. Scientists are exploring similar vaccines for pancreatic and brain cancers, though some remain cautious about replicating this success in cancers less responsive to immunotherapy.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing