Moderna and Merck post first positive Phase 3 for mRNA cancer vaccine in melanoma
Moderna reports first positive Phase 3 for mRNA neoantigen therapy in melanoma
Moderna and Merck announced positive Phase 3 results for intismeran autogene, an individualized mRNA neoantigen therapy, combined with KEYTRUDA, in patients with resected stage IIB-IV melanoma. The trial met its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival and a key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival. This marks the first positive Phase 3 for an individualized neoantigen therapy and the first for an mRNA-based cancer therapy. Moderna CEO Noubar Afeyan called it a milestone for the field and for patients.
When we founded Moderna in 2010, the idea that mRNA could become a new class of medicines was outright rejected.
- GenerWork
This is great news! I think people forget how anti-skin cancer protocols even as simple as applying suntan lotion weren't as popular as recent as 50-60 years ago. Lots of "sun children" of the 50s and 60s are now feeling the repercussions of only applying baby oil and are getting hit with lots of melanoma.
- amluto
Substantially better link:
https://www.merck.com/news/merck-and-moderna-announce-phase-...
Still no actual Phase 3 data presented.
- hummuscience
My father is currently dying of malignant melanoma with brain metastasis...
I wish this treatment was available a few years ago.
- danjl
Will this targeted approach be beneficial to other cancer types? Is there any data or theory about this class of drugs as a more general therapy?
- nearbyyak
Huge, uplifting, news, hope the study will bear further fruit. Considering that 90% of all clinical trials fail, it's good to read about a truly promising one for once.
- consumer451
This appears to be a potentially huge win for health. The market has Moderna up 153% at time of writing, which is some sort of validation I suppose.
Related stories:
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-and-modernas-per...
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/merck-moderna-say-m...
https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/moderna-merck-vaccine-succ...
- MartinMond
I listened to a great podcast on this just a month ago - too bad that I thought all of this would obviously be priced in already… https://virological.podigee.io/51-21-cancer-vaccines-how-the...
- epistasis
Ever since I first heard of them a decade ago, it seemed that mRNA therapeutic vaccines were going to be the next wave of massive improvements in care. It's taken a bit longer than I had expected, and it's not that mRNA is the only way to make these sorts of vaccines, it's just so much better than the alternatives.
I'm very very excited to see what comes next.