An experimental, personalized cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck has yielded positive results in its first phase 3 trial, bringing the therapy closer to potential regulatory approval.
The vaccine, based on mRNA technology, was combined with Merck's Keytruda in a study involving more than 1,100 patients with high-risk or advanced melanoma whose tumors had previously been removed through surgery.
According to initial results, combining the vaccine with Keytruda significantly extended the time patients remained free of melanoma, compared with treatment with Keytruda alone. The therapy also reduced the risk of the disease spreading to other parts of the body.
Unlike traditional vaccines, this therapy is personalized for each patient, targeting the specific mutations in their tumor. The goal is to train the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells, while Keytruda helps boost the immune response.
The companies plan to present the full results at an upcoming medical conference. The study will also continue to assess the impact of the treatment on overall survival of patients.
Researchers have described the result as a significant clinical improvement compared to Keytruda, while the side effects reported so far have been similar to those of routine treatments.
However, the vaccine remains an experimental therapy and has not been approved for general use. Further evaluation and regulatory process are needed before it can be made available to patients.
