Merck and Moderna reported the first positive results from phase III trials of a personalized mRNA vaccine against melanoma. In combination with the immunotherapy Keytruda, it reduced the risk of recurrence and disease spread compared with immunotherapy alone. For oncology, this is an important step.
Keytruda helps the immune system recognize and attack tumor cells. The vaccine is made individually, based on the mutations of a specific tumor, as if building immune protection from a personalized blueprint.
Earlier, in a phase II study, the same combination reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% over five years. Now a positive result has also been obtained in phase III, the final large stage of clinical trials. If the final data confirm the interim results, personalized mRNA vaccines may become a new tool in cancer treatment.
