'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 announced Wednesday that a personalized cancer treatment using mRNA technology had demonstrated success in reducing melanoma tumor recurrence in a large, late-stage clinical trial. The innovative drug, intismeran autogene, is the first mRNA-based cancer treatment to show positive results in a significant trial.
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel hailed the breakthrough as a major milestone for the company, mRNA science, and cancer patients. The one-year trial involved 1,137 patients who received either the new treatment plus pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab alone after surgical removal of their tumors. Researchers will present their findings at an upcoming international conference and begin seeking regulatory approval.
Experts praised the results as very encouraging and a proof of principle that personalized cancer vaccines work. Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, affects over 330,000 people worldwide each year.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
