Cancer treatment may be entering a new phase with Moderna and Merck’s latest vaccine results. Their personalised mRNA vaccine has shown encouraging results in advanced melanoma patients. Unlike standard vaccines, this treatment uses each patient’s tumour information. Doctors first identify specific genetic changes within the cancer. Then, they use those changes to prepare an individual vaccine. The goal involves training the immune system to recognise cancer cells. Additionally, the vaccine works alongside Merck’s Keytruda immunotherapy.
What makes this vaccine different?
The vaccine uses genetic information from the patient’s own tumour. Therefore, every treatment can follow a different genetic profile. Researchers aim to teach immune cells the unique markers linked with cancer. The approach also targets tiny cancer cells that might remain after surgery. Furthermore, testing showed better protection against cancer returning or spreading elsewhere. The Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial involved 1,137 patients. All participants had undergone surgery for serious melanoma.
The treatment uses mRNA technology, which gained major attention after COVID vaccines. Now, Moderna is exploring its potential for cancer treatment. The vaccine can include up to 34 tumour-specific neoantigens. Artificial intelligence helps select the most suitable changes from hundreds of genetic alterations. Researchers call these selected targets neoantigens.
How does the vaccine train the immune system?
First, doctors examine a small tumour sample from each patient. Next, researchers identify specific genetic changes inside cancer cells. Artificial intelligence then helps select promising neoantigens. The vaccine carries their information through mRNA into body cells. Consequently, T-cells learn to recognise those cancer markers. They then prepare to target cells carrying those specific characteristics. Thus, the treatment creates what researchers describe as a “double attack”.
The vaccine combines with Keytruda rather than working alone. One treatment helps identify cancer markers. Meanwhile, Keytruda supports the body’s immune response. Researchers compared patients receiving both treatments against patients receiving Keytruda alone.
What did the Phase 3 trial show?
Moderna and Merck reported encouraging results among melanoma patients with deeper cancer involvement. Some participants also had cancer spread to lymph nodes. All patients underwent tumour removal through surgery and received Keytruda. Some participants additionally received the personalised mRNA vaccine. Those receiving the combination showed better chances of remaining cancer-free.
The trial measured two major outcomes. Researchers examined cancer recurrence and spread to distant body areas. Both outcomes showed meaningful improvement with the vaccine combination. Melanoma remains among America’s rapidly increasing skin cancers. Around 1.12 lakh new cases occur there annually. Nearly 8,500 people die from the disease each year.
The vaccine still needs more evidence
Despite encouraging Phase 3 results, the vaccine remains under investigation. Moderna and Merck must present complete data to scientists and regulatory agencies. Researchers also need to establish its impact on overall survival. Therefore, experts cannot yet call this vaccine a definitive cancer cure. The current findings instead point toward a potentially personalised treatment approach.
