'Breakthrough' mRNA cancer drug curbs melanoma in large trial
Researchers have for years been trying to apply mRNA treatments against cancer, but this was the first time such a drug showed positive results in a large, late-stage clinical trial
U.S. pharmaceutical companies Merck and Moderna have announced a promising breakthrough in cancer treatment, with a personalized mRNA drug showing success in reducing melanoma tumor recurrence in a large clinical trial. The drug, named intismeran autogene, utilizes the same messenger RNA (mRNA) technology that powers Covid-19 vaccines.
This marks the first time such a drug has demonstrated positive results in a large, late-stage trial, signaling an important milestone for Moderna, mRNA research, and most importantly, cancer patients. CEO Stephane Bancel stated that this is a significant achievement for the company, the mRNA field, and patients with cancer. The trial, lasting approximately a year, involved 1,137 patients who received the new treatment in combination with pembrolizumab, the current standard-of-care drug, or pembrolizumab alone.
The drug works by analyzing the patient's tumor to identify its unique mutational signature, then using mRNA technology to target it, prompting the immune system to fight the cancer. Oncologists praised the encouraging results, describing it as a breakthrough in personalized cancer vaccines. The treatment can be used in combination with other therapies across various types and stages of cancer, including melanoma, lung, bladder, and kidney cancers.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
