Moderna, Merck's mRNA cancer vaccine plus Keytruda succeeds in Phase 3 melanoma trial

A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine developed jointly by Moderna and Merck (MSD) has met its primary endpoint in a Phase 3 clinical trial for melanoma. The study investigated the efficacy of combining the mRNA vaccine with Merck's immunotherapy drug, Keytruda, as an adjuvant treatment for patients with high-risk stage III/IV melanoma following surgical removal of the tumor.

Results indicated that the combination therapy significantly delayed cancer recurrence and the spread of the disease to other organs compared to Keytruda administered alone. This outcome suggests a promising new approach in the fight against melanoma, particularly for patients at high risk of relapse.

Moderna and MSD announced the trial's success on August 19th. The personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, known as 'v940' or '인트시' in Korean, is designed to target specific mutations found in a patient's tumor. This individualized approach aims to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

The trial involved patients who had undergone surgery to remove their melanoma. Those receiving the combination of Keytruda and the personalized mRNA vaccine showed a statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival. Further details on the specific metrics and full trial data are expected to be presented at upcoming medical conferences.