Moderna, Merck unveil mRNA-based cancer vaccine that cuts spread

By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters.

Key points

• According to the National Cancer Institute, there were more than 1.5 million individuals in the US living with melanoma in 2023.
• Karen Knudsen, CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, remarked the Moderna results could signal a new era for treating solid-tumour cancers.
• Developed alongside pharmaceutical giant Merck, Moderna tested the vaccine with immunotherapy drug Keytruda.
• Interim results of the study published on Wednesday identified that the treatment met both goals of reducing cancer recurrence and preventing the spread of tumours.
• "The positive hit here leads us into truly this next phase in immunotherapy, " Knudsen remarked.

According to Moderna and Merck have, a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine called Intismeran reduced the risk of recurrence and spread of melanoma in a late-stage trial, a major success in a new field of cancer treatment that sent Moderna's shares surging as much as 160 percent.

Interim results of the study published on Wednesday identified that the treatment met both goals of reducing cancer recurrence and preventing the spread of tumours. Detailed results of the study have not been published but are anticipated to be shared at an upcoming medical session, according to the drugmaker.

Moderna President Stephen Hoge remarked thousands of patients who have had high-risk melanoma tumours removed in surgery could benefit by next year if the vaccine is approved by regulators. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were more than 1.5 million individuals in the US living with melanoma in 2023.

Notably, the experimental vaccine trains the patient's immune system to fight tumours by targeting mutations in cancer cells. Similar approaches are being tested to combat other cancers such as lung, breast and pancreatic cancers.

Previous studies have suggested that mRNA vaccines could support immune systems recognise and attack cancer cells in mice and in analyses of medical records of cancer patients. Findings from the studies came at a time when the administration of United States President Donald Trump cut funding for mRNA research.

In practice, the development is the first positive late-stage trial result for an mRNA cancer vaccine. Merck remarked the businesses are already in discussions ⁠with regulators concerning the treatment.

"The positive hit here leads us into truly this next phase in immunotherapy, " Knudsen remarked. "This is an auspicious start – this is where things begin."

Taken together, the developments around moderna, Merck unveil mRNA-based cancer vaccine that cuts spread point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.