Moderna-Merck’s personalised cancer vaccine shows promise in Phase-3 melanoma trialModerna-Merck’s personalised cancer vaccine shows promise in Phase-3 melanoma trialModerna-Merck’s personalised cancer vaccine shows promise in Phase-3 melanoma trial12 NEW DELHI: A personalised cancer vaccine has shown encouraging results in a large Phase-3 trial of patients with high-risk melanoma – a potentially aggressive form of skin cancer – helping keep the cancer from returning or spreading when given along with Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda, pharma major Moderna said in a statement. Keytruda helps the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.The INTerpath-001 trial involved 1,137 patients with high-risk melanoma whose tumours had been completely removed through surgery. They received either personalised mRNA treatment, intismeran autogene, along with Keytruda, or Keytruda alone. The combination met the trial’s main goal of improving the time patients remained free of cancer returning and also met a key secondary goal of reducing the risk of the cancer spreading to distant parts of the body.Moderna shares hit a two-year high of $140.19 Wednesday and were on track to add about $30 billion to the company’s market value after promising late-stage data on its personalised mRNA cancer therapy, developed with Merck, sent investors piling into the stock.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to Merck and Moderna, the INTerpath-001 trial met its primary goal of improving recurrence-free survival and a key secondary goal of improving distant metastasis-free survival.Unlike preventive vaccines, this is a therapeutic cancer vaccine designed for people who already have cancer. Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, oncologist at Art of Healing Cancer, said the development was an important advance in personalised cancer treatment. But affordability and access would be major challenges in India.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks’Not Mahatma Gandhi’s Congress’: FULL Vande Mataram Rejected At INC Events, BJP Doubts ‘Loyalty’US Body Opposes Mohan Bhagwat’s Visit, Seeks Sanctions on RSS Members Over Religious Freedom ClaimsDJB Tender Scam Row: AAP Questions Why Raghav Chadha Was Never Questioned By InvestigatorsMaharashtra’s Power Shift: Fadnavis Can Now Reverse Ministerial Decisions In Public InterestIndia Removes Pakistan Mission Barricades After Islamabad Move, Tensions Rise Over Kashmir RemarksModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily123PhotostoriesHow to look expensive without spending a lot of moneyFrom money plants to shankh: 5 Vastu items believed to bring good luck and positivity at homeHow much walking can reverse the health risks of sitting for 8 hours a day? Doctor explains what your body needsWhy does homemade curd turn slimy during monsoon and 3 ways to prevent itThe history of the white shirt: How a simple staple became the ultimate fashion icon10 enchanting baby girl names inspired by fantasy, mythology and folkloreSugar price hike by Rs 8 per kg: 9 natural Indian sweeteners and how to use themOptical illusion personality test: The first thing you spot reveals what’s coming next in your lifeIs apple cider vinegar good for your hair? Benefits, side effects, and the right way to use it10 One Piece characters who have lived for more than a 100 years123Hot PicksPeru EarthquakeConnor McDavidGTU results 2026Pennsylvania plane crashOil export IndiaFaceless assessmentRSS sanctionZepto internshipPakistan High CommissionTop TrendingHyderabad MurderPakistan High CommissionTwisha SharmaKarnataka MurderKerala MurderAbhijeet DipkeSukesh ChandrashekharRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir
NEW DELHI: A personalised cancer vaccine has shown encouraging results in a large Phase-3 trial of patients with high-risk melanoma – a potentially aggressive form of skin cancer – helping keep the cancer from returning or spreading when given along with Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda, pharma major Moderna said in a statement. Keytruda helps the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.The INTerpath-001 trial involved 1,137 patients with high-risk melanoma whose tumours had been completely removed through surgery. They received either personalised mRNA treatment, intismeran autogene, along with Keytruda, or Keytruda alone. The combination met the trial’s main goal of improving the time patients remained free of cancer returning and also met a key secondary goal of reducing the risk of the cancer spreading to distant parts of the body.Moderna shares hit a two-year high of $140.19 Wednesday and were on track to add about $30 billion to the company’s market value after promising late-stage data on its personalised mRNA cancer therapy, developed with Merck, sent investors piling into the stock.
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According to Merck and Moderna, the INTerpath-001 trial met its primary goal of improving recurrence-free survival and a key secondary goal of improving distant metastasis-free survival.Unlike preventive vaccines, this is a therapeutic cancer vaccine designed for people who already have cancer. Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, oncologist at Art of Healing Cancer, said the development was an important advance in personalised cancer treatment. But affordability and access would be major challenges in India.