CAMBRIDGE, Mass., United States: The Moderna-Merck cancer vaccine met two key Phase 3 goals in melanoma patients. The companies tested the personalised vaccine with Merck’s Keytruda.
Moderna and Merck announced the results on August 19. The global INTerpath-001 trial enrolled 1,137 patients with stage IIB-IV melanoma after surgery.
The companies said the combination improved recurrence-free survival compared with Keytruda alone. It also improved distant metastasis-free survival. However, Moderna and Merck have not yet released the full Phase 3 results.
Moderna developed intismeran autogene, also known as V940 or mRNA-4157, as a personalised cancer treatment. The vaccine uses genetic details from each patient’s tumour and can target up to 34 cancer-related mutations.
Meanwhile, Keytruda helps the immune system identify and attack cancer cells. Moderna and Merck have worked together on the treatment for about a decade.
Read: Australian Doctor Richard Scolyer Cancer-Free After Innovative Treatment
Earlier Phase 2b results also supported the approach. After five years, the treatment cut the risk of cancer returning or death by 49% compared with Keytruda alone. It also cut the risk of distant spread or death by 59%.
Read: Russia’s Enteromix Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise Preclinical Trials
The companies will next present the complete Phase 3 findings at an international medical meeting. They also plan to discuss regulatory filings with health authorities. However, they have not announced a date for a possible U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
