A personalised cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck has shown promising results in preventing high-risk melanoma from returning after surgery.
The vaccine, known as Intismeran, was tested alongside Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug already used to treat cancer. The companies said the combination significantly extended the period patients remained cancer-free and reduced the risk of the disease spreading.
The Phase 3 trial involved more than 1,000 patients with high-risk stage two, three or four melanoma.
The vaccine uses mRNA technology to target mutations specific to each patient’s tumour. Scientists analyse a sample of the tumour and develop a personalised vaccine designed to help the immune system identify and attack remaining cancer cells.
The companies described the findings as a major development in cancer treatment, while cancer experts urged caution because the full results have not yet been independently reviewed or published.
Dr Talisia Quallo of Cancer Research UK said the findings were promising but required further assessment.
If the treatment proves successful through the remaining trials, it would still need regulatory approval before potentially becoming available to patients through the NHS.
Researchers are also testing similar personalised cancer vaccines for lung, bladder and kidney cancers.
