Moderna and Merck say mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in late-stage melanoma trial

Live updates

1. 58m ago

   Moderna and Merck mRNA vaccine prevents melanoma recurrence in phase 3 trial

   Moderna and Merck announced Wednesday that an experimental personalized mRNA vaccine kept melanoma from returning or spreading in high-risk patients. The phase 3 clinical trial involved more than 1,000 participants. This treatment pairs a neoantigen vaccine with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to target tumors specific to each patient. The trial marks the final clinical stage required before the companies can apply for FDA approval. Following the news, Moderna shares rose over 170 percent in one session.

   Why it matters

   Personalized vaccines represent a shift toward therapies tailored to an individual's specific tumor mutations. This approach aims to improve long-term outcomes for patients at high risk of skin cancer recurrence.

   What is confirmed

   • A personalized mRNA vaccine combined with pembrolizumab reduced melanoma recurrence and spread.
   • The phase 3 trial included more than 1,000 patients.
   • Moderna and Merck developed the experimental treatment.

   What to watch next

   • FDA approval application and decision
   • Long-term survival data from the phase 3 cohort
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. omaha.com — Moderna, Merck breakthrough could usher in cancer vaccines
   2. news.lee.net — Week in review: Test your knowledge of notable news
   3. medicalxpress.com — Personalized vaccine helped melanoma patients stay cancer-free longer, drugmakers say
   4. www.statnews.com — FDA pauses Regenxbio gene therapy trial again due to safety concerns
   confidence 100%
2. 2d ago

   Moderna and Merck mRNA vaccine reduces melanoma recurrence in phase 3 trial

   Moderna and Merck developed a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine that significantly reduced melanoma recurrence during a phase 3 clinical trial. The treatment combines a neoantigen vaccine with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab. This success marks the final clinical step before the companies can seek FDA approval. Following the announcement, Moderna shares surged more than 170 percent in a single session. The trial results suggest the treatment could lead to a new generation of therapies tailored to the specific tumors of individual patients.

   Why it matters

   Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer prone to returning after initial treatment. Personalized vaccines aim to train the immune system to recognize unique markers on a patient's specific tumor. This approach differs from traditional one-size-fits-all cancer medications.

   What is confirmed

   • The personalized mRNA vaccine combined with pembrolizumab reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence in a phase 3 trial.
   • The vaccine has completed phase 3 clinical trials, which is the final step before FDA approval.
   • Moderna and Merck co-developed the neoantigen treatment.
   • Moderna shares surged more than 170 percent in one session following the trial results.

   What to watch next

   • FDA approval decision for the personalized mRNA vaccine
   • Publication of full peer-reviewed data from the phase 3 trial
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.nationalgeographic.com — Why Scientists Say This Personalized Cancer Vaccine Could Be a Game-Changer
   2. www.smithsonianmag.com — A New Personalized Cancer Vaccine Could Keep Skin Cancer From Coming Back, Drugmakers Say
   3. www.medicalnewstoday.com — Novel mRNA vaccine plus immunotherapy reduces melanoma relapse in phase 3 trial
   4. www.statnews.com — HHS document offers new clues to Kennedy’s vaccine plans
   5. biz.heraldcorp.com — 'The COVID hero is back': Moderna shares surge 177% on cancer vaccine trial success
   6. www.wpr.org — Wisconsin doctor responds to ‘breakthrough trial’ of new cancer vaccine
   confidence 100%
3. 4d ago

   Moderna and Merck mRNA melanoma vaccine succeeds in late-stage trial

   Moderna and Merck reported that their mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in a late-stage clinical trial for melanoma. The announcement triggered a massive surge in Moderna stock, with reports on the increase varying from 60% to a doubling of the share price. This development suggests the vaccine shows promise in treating advanced skin cancer, marking a potential shift in cancer treatment methodologies. The companies are positioning the results as a success in the late-stage testing phase.

   Why it matters

   The vaccine utilizes mRNA technology, the same platform used for COVID-19 vaccines, to target cancer cells. Melanoma is a severe form of skin cancer that often requires aggressive intervention. Success in late-stage trials is the final major hurdle before regulatory approval and widespread clinical use.

   What is confirmed

   • Moderna and Merck developed an mRNA cancer vaccine that succeeded in a late-stage melanoma trial.
   • Moderna stock prices rose significantly following the trial results.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Moderna shares soared 90%.
   • Moderna shares soared 60%.
   • Moderna's stock doubled.

   What to watch next

   • Regulatory filing and approval decisions from health authorities
   • Detailed publication of trial data including efficacy and safety metrics
   • Expansion of trials to other cancer types
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. STAT — Moderna and Merck say mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in late-stage melanoma trial
   2. CNBC — Moderna, Merck cancer vaccine shows promise in late-stage trial; Moderna stock soars 90%
   3. MarketWatch — Moderna’s stock doubles on promising cancer-vaccine results
   4. The Washington Post — Cancer treatment could face landmark moment with promising vaccine
   5. Financial Times — Moderna shares soar 60% on melanoma vaccine trial success
   confidence 90%