mRNA cancer vaccine cuts melanoma recurrence risk by 42%

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 23:03 · Archive

A personalised mRNA cancer vaccine called intismeran has reduced the risk of melanoma returning after surgery by 42%, according to study results from Moderna and Merck.

A personalised mRNA cancer vaccine called intismeran has significantly reduced the risk of melanoma returning after surgery. According to results of a major study released Thursday by drugmakers Moderna and Merck, adding the vaccine to standard post-surgery treatment reduced by 42% the risk of melanoma returning two years after surgery. The vaccine is custom-made for each patient to match their individual tumour.

The vaccine, intismeran, is made with mRNA technology that won the Nobel Prize and was used in COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Hussein Tawbi of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, one of the researchers in the international study, called it 'a big one' for the field. Other personalised cancer vaccines using mRNA and other approaches are also being tested against other cancer types.

Experts not involved in the study said its success represents a major advance. Karen Knudsen, CEO of the Parker Institute, which funds cancer immunotherapy research, called it 'a new frontier'. Dr. Michael Atkins, deputy director of Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, said the vaccine would likely apply to many different cancers. Detailed results were released at a meeting of the European Society of Medical Oncology in Madrid on Saturday, after Moderna and Merck had announced the trial's success in August.

How it is being reported

• A novel mRNA cancer vaccine helps reduce the chances of melanoma patients' tumors returningA first-of-its-kind cancer vaccine is helping significantly reduce the chances that melanoma patients' tumors return.Clickorlando · 22 Oct, 22:39
• A novel mRNA cancer vaccine helps reduce the chances of melanoma patients' tumors returningA first-of-its-kind cancer vaccine is helping significantly reduce the chances that melanoma patients' tumors return.News4Jax · 22 Oct, 22:39

In this story: Moderna · Merck · Dr. Hussein Tawbi · MD Anderson Cancer Center · Parker Institute · Georgetown University · European Society of Medical Oncology

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