Moderna & Merck's Skin Cancer Vaccine Cuts Recurrence Risk by 49%

Moderna and Merck unveiled strong new data showing their skin cancer vaccine continues to deliver a meaningful benefit five years after treatment. The personalized mRNA vaccine, intismeran autogene, administered together with Merck immunotherapy drug Keytruda in a mid-stage trial of high-risk surgery patients reduced the risk of cancer recurrence/death by 49 percent over Keytruda alone.

This continued enhancement of recurrence-free survival is comparable to what has already been reported at the three years follow-up and this indicates a long-lasting impact on this disease that is difficult to treat.

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The vaccine is made to each patient based on the distinctive genetic composition of their tumor, thus making the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. Combined with Keytruda that enhances the immune response by inhibiting inhibitory checkpoints, the combo demonstrates greater and protracted effect compared to regular therapy.

Moderna shares surged by approximately 2% on the news as traders responded to the positive long-term information and the possibility of the mRNA platform development of the company to be extended past Covid-19 vaccines to a lasting anti-cancer medication. The early win, analysts say, would aid in bridging the revenue gap created by the dwindling sales of pandemic shots.

Should Moderna be able to repeat this 49% risk reduction in this larger phase 3 trial, it would be a good omen of not only the commercialization of this particular 49% risk reduction in melanoma, but also the outlook of the combination in other indications, such as kidney, bladder and lung cancers, Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen said.

Phase 3 studies are being done in larger sizes and full data are anticipated later in the year. In case the results are positive, this combination of vaccines may provide a new long-term treatment solution to patients with aggressive melanoma and possibly other tumours.