mRNA cancer vaccine shows protection at 5-year follow-up, Moderna and Merck say
2 months ago
- #immunotherapy
- #melanoma
- #mRNA vaccine
- Customized mRNA vaccines reduced the risk of skin cancer recurrence and death by nearly 50% over five years compared to standard treatment alone.
- The experimental vaccine, mRNA-4157 (V940), was developed by Moderna and Merck and tested in a Phase 2 trial involving 157 high-risk melanoma patients.
- All patients received standard immunotherapy (Keytruda), while some also received personalized mRNA vaccines tailored to their cancer's genetic markers.
- The mRNA vaccines train T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells by producing up to 34 unique markers from the patient's tumor.
- Phase 3 trials are underway, and more detailed Phase 2 results will be presented at an upcoming medical conference.