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vacci
An innovative mRNA vaccine, developed by Moderna in collaboration with Merck’s Keytruda, has demonstrated significant promise in combating melanoma, a particularly deadly form of skin cancer. This groundbreaking vaccine, when administered in conjunction with Keytruda, showcased remarkable results in reducing the mortality rate and recurrence of melanoma by 49% after a three-year period, compared to the use of Keytruda alone.
According to a joint statement by both companies, this combined treatment also exhibited a 62% reduction in the risk of distant metastasis (the spread of cancer to other parts of the body) or death.
The clinical trial findings highlighted that the most commonly reported side effects of the vaccine were manageable, including fatigue, injection site pain, and chills.
Melanoma, known for the uncontrolled proliferation of pigment-producing cells, has witnessed an alarming increase in cases, with nearly 325,000 new diagnoses worldwide in 2020 alone.
Moderna’s CEO, Stephane Bancel, expressed optimism about the vaccine’s potential, stating on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that regulatory approvals and potential launches in select countries might occur as early as 2025. Bancel also emphasized ongoing studies exploring the vaccine’s efficacy in earlier stages of melanoma, believing in the potency of the immune system in patients at these stages, suggesting even more promising outcomes.
The vaccine, leveraging the same mRNA technology as Moderna’s successful COVID-19 vaccine, is customized based on an individual analysis of a patient’s tumors following surgical removal. Its purpose is to educate the immune system to identify and attack specific mutations present in cancer cells.
In contrast, Keytruda operates as an immunotherapy that enhances the body’s immune system, aiding in the detection and combat of tumor cells.
Encouraged by the success seen in melanoma treatment, both Moderna and Merck have initiated trials to test the vaccine alongside Keytruda for non-small cell lung cancer, expanding the potential impact of this innovative approach beyond melanoma.
