Pharmaceutical partners Moderna and Merck have announced results from a late-stage trial involving a personalized mRNA vaccine designed to combat melanoma. The data indicates that patients receiving the individualized treatment saw a 42 percent reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence or death when compared to those receiving standard medical care.
Melanoma is recognized as the most lethal variety of skin cancer. Because the vaccine is tailored to the specific tumor of each patient, the results suggest a shift toward highly individualized cancer therapies. The companies are currently in discussions with regulatory agencies to secure approval for the treatment.
What it means
This development validates the theory that mRNA technology can be used to create medicines matched to a patient's unique genetic profile. The success of this trial supports a broader vision for mRNA to transform the general approach to oncology by moving away from one-size-fits-all treatments.
