CytomX’s CX-801 Enters Key Early Cancer Trial Phase, Putting CTMX Back on Investor Radar

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus chemo did not significantly improve event-free survival (EFS) in cisplatin-eligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients, per KEYNOTE-866 trial results. Median EFS was 74.1 months with pembrolizumab vs not reached with placebo (HR 0.88, P = .1366). Overall survival (OS) was similar, and pCR rate was higher with pembrolizumab. Adverse effects were consistent with prior reports. The trial enrolled 907 patients, with EFS as the primary endpoint.

Moderna and Merck reported Phase 3 data showing their cancer vaccine, combined with Keytruda, reduced melanoma recurrence or death by 42% over two years. Long-term efficacy remains uncertain.

Moderna and Merck's personalized mRNA vaccine, intismeran, reduced melanoma recurrence risk by 42% in a late-stage trial. The vaccine, tailored to each patient's tumor, was tested on 1,137 Stage 3 melanoma patients alongside Merck's Keytruda immunotherapy. After two years, 82% of vaccine recipients showed no recurrence compared to 70% in the placebo group. The results will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology meeting.

Moderna and Merck reported final clinical trial results showing their personalized mRNA vaccine, combined with immunotherapy, reduced melanoma recurrence or death risk by over 40%. The vaccine is tailored to each patient's tumor mutations. Challenges include high costs and logistical hurdles. The companies aim to expand research to other cancers, like lung cancer.

Merck and Moderna reported that their personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine, combined with Merck's Keytruda, reduced melanoma recurrence and cancer-related death by 42% in a Phase 3 trial. The trial involved 1,137 adults with surgically removed stage 2B to 4 melanoma, with 82% of patients living cancer-free two years after treatment. The vaccine is customized to each patient's tumor and has not yet been FDA-approved.

Moderna (MRNA) and Merck (MRK) stocks diverged after early release of their partnered cancer vaccine test results. RBC Capital Markets analyst Luca Issi noted impressive but slightly weaker Phase 3 results than Phase 2, attributing this to earlier-stage patient enrollment.