Cancer vaccine significantly reduces chance of melanoma patients’ tumours returning, results show

A Phase III trial by Moderna and Merck showed their personalized mRNA vaccine with pembrolizumab reduced melanoma recurrence or death risk by 42% vs. pembrolizumab alone. The vaccine, tailored to individual tumors, is in regulatory review. Data were presented at the 2026 ESMO Congress and will be published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Moderna and Merck's personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, developed with Merck's Keytruda, reduced melanoma recurrence or death risk by 42% in a phase 3 trial. The vaccine, tailored to each patient's tumor, works alongside existing immunotherapy. The trial involved 1,100+ patients and results were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2026. The vaccine is under regulatory review and not yet available.

An Australian-led trial showed an mRNA vaccine, intismeran, reduced melanoma recurrence risk by 42% and distant metastasis by 38% when combined with pembrolizumab. The phase 3 study involved 1137 patients, with 2-year recurrence-free survival at 82% for the combination vs. 70% for pembrolizumab alone. Merck and Moderna are developing the therapy, which targets unique tumor mutations. Treatment-related adverse events were common but similar between groups.

Moderna and Merck reported that their personalized cancer vaccine 'intismeran', combined with Keytruda, reduced melanoma recurrence risk by 42% in a clinical trial with 1,100 patients. After two years, 82% of the vaccine group survived without recurrence, compared to 70% with Keytruda alone. The companies are discussing regulatory approval.

Moderna and Merck's mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran autogene, reduced melanoma recurrence and death risk by 42% in a Phase 3 trial. The personalized vaccine uses AI to target specific tumor mutations. Moderna's stock surged in August after initial results, and detailed data was presented at ESMO Congress. BioNTech's similar program failed in Phase 2 trials. The companies aim for regulatory approval in 2024.

Merck and Moderna's mRNA-based cancer vaccine, intismeran, showed a 42% reduction in recurrence or death risk in a trial. Experts suggest the approach may apply to other tumors. The results mark a significant breakthrough in cancer vaccine development.