How Moderna's melanoma mRNA vaccine could fight deadliest skin cancer
Summary
Moderna tested an experimental melanoma vaccine that uses a patient's tumor mutations to create a personalized mRNA shot. In a large late-stage trial, the vaccine helped advanced melanoma patients stay cancer-free longer when used with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda.Key Facts
- The vaccine is made by analyzing a piece of the patient’s tumor to find unique mutations.
- Artificial intelligence helps decide which mutations to include in the vaccine.
- The vaccine uses synthetic mRNA to teach the immune system to attack melanoma cells.
- It is combined with Keytruda, a drug that helps the immune system detect cancer by removing a protective "cloak" cancer cells use.
- The trial involved over 1,100 patients with advanced melanoma (spread deeper or to lymph nodes).
- Patients who took both the vaccine and Keytruda stayed cancer-free longer than those who only had Keytruda.
- Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the U.S. with about 112,000 new cases yearly.
- About 8,500 people in the U.S. are expected to die from melanoma this year.
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