A personalized mRNA vaccine for melanoma significantly reduced the risk of cancer returning or death within two years, trial results show. The vaccine, intismeran, is made by Moderna and Merck. Six melanoma specialists called the results clinically meaningful for patients after surgery, despite a muted Wall Street reaction.
Why it matters: Skin cancer patients could gain a new way to prevent relapse using their own immune systems.
Trial results show intismeran, a personalized mRNA vaccine from Moderna and Merck custom-made for each patient's tumor, significantly reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death within two years after surgery. Six melanoma specialists told CNBC the results are clinically meaningful, despite a negative reaction from Wall Street.
Why it matters: It supports a new personalized approach to cancer treatment that uses the patient's own immune system.