Moderna, Merck mRNA Vaccine Shows Promise in Late-Stage Melanoma Trial
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The Story
Moderna and Merck reported positive late-stage trial results for their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran autogene, when used with Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab). The Phase 3 trial found the combination met its main goal of recurrence-free survival and a key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival. The vaccine, combined with Keytruda, reduced the recurrence of melanoma in a large, late-stage trial and also slowed the spread to new areas of the body, the companies said. This study marks the first positive final-stage trial for any mRNA-based cancer therapy. The trial involved over 1,100 people whose melanoma was in advanced stages, with patients having visible signs of their tumors surgically removed before the trial. The vaccine is personalized, built from a patient's own tumor, which has its own genetic sequence. Artificial intelligence helps identify unique mutations for inclusion in the vaccine. The mRNA delivers synthetic mRNA into cells, training the immune system to attack cancer cells, while Keytruda removes a cloak of invisibility from cancer cells, according to Dr. Jon LaPook. Moderna shares spiked by a record 177 percent on Wednesday, and Merck shares climbed nearly 13 percent. Moderna president Stephen Hoge stated the product could be approved by regulators as soon as 2027. Karen Knudsen, CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, called it an auspicious start. Jedd Wolchok, a melanoma expert and director of the Meyer Cancer Centre at Weill Cornell Medicine, described it as an important step forward for cancer immunotherapy and vaccines. Earlier Phase 2b trial results showed the vaccine/Keytruda combination reduced the risk of cancer recurrence or death by 49 percent compared to Keytruda alone. The companies did not release specific efficacy numbers for the Phase 3 trial, stating they will be shared at an upcoming medical meeting and with regulators. The trial is still underway to see if patients who receive the vaccine live longer. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Roughly 112,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma in the US each year, and about 8,500 die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.
The Spread
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What they agree on
- Moderna and Merck announced positive results from a Phase 3 clinical trial for their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine.
- The vaccine, intismeran autogene, was used in combination with Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
- The combination therapy reduced the recurrence or spread of melanoma in patients.
- Moderna's shares experienced an increase following the announcement.
- The vaccine is personalized, using a patient's own tumor mutations to train the immune system.
Where they split
- Some outlets, including The Times and The National, specify Moderna's share increase as 175% or 177%, while others, such as CNBC and The Wall Street Journal, report it as "soars 50%" or "more than double."
- RNZ News focuses on the participation of New Zealand patients in the trial and includes comments from Dr. Gareth Rivalland, a medical oncologist and Melanoma NZ spokesperson.
- CBS News provides a detailed explanation of how the personalized mRNA vaccine works, including the role of artificial intelligence and the "one-two punch" mechanism, with input from Dr. Céline Gounder and Dr. Jon LaPook.
- The Daily Upside and Bernama lead with the impact on Moderna's shares, while The Print and The National emphasize the breakthrough for mRNA technology and cancer treatment.
Source Perspectives
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