Moderna’s cancer vaccine shows promising results in late-stage trial
Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, in combination with Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda, has demonstrated success in a late-stage trial for skin cancer, prompting a 60% increase in Moderna’s shares during premarket trading, reports BritPanorama.
Initial findings from the ongoing study indicated that the treatment, named Intismeran, achieved both primary and secondary objectives: it reduced the recurrence of cancer and prevented metastasis to other body parts. The trial involved 1,137 high-risk patients with stage IIB-IV melanoma whose cancer had been surgically removed.
Participants in the trial were randomized to receive either up to nine doses of Keytruda combined with the personalized vaccine or Keytruda alone over approximately a year. Notably, no new safety signals were reported during the trial.
Analysts had anticipated that the data from the cancer vaccine could serve as a significant catalyst for Moderna, potentially bolstering investor sentiment. Barclays analysts projected that the therapy could yield approximately $3 billion in revenue for treating melanoma by 2035.
In January, mid-stage trial results were made public, revealing that the joint treatment reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% over five years. The companies have stated they will present these findings at an upcoming medical conference and engage regulators on next steps.
Melanoma, recognized as the deadliest form of skin cancer, had more than 1.5 million people living with the diagnosis in the U.S. as of 2023, according to the National Cancer Institute.
As the medical community watches closely, the collaboration between Moderna and Merck represents a pivotal advancement in the fight against skin cancer.
