{
  "id": 1977831,
  "title": "mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in Phase 3 melanoma trial, Moderna and Merck say",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/mrna-cancer-vaccine-succeeded-in-phase-3-melanoma-trial-moderna-and",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T16:53:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica",
    "slug": "ars-technica",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/08/mrna-cancer-vaccine-succeeded-in-phase-3-melanoma-trial-moderna-and-merck-say/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Moderna and Merck revealed on Wednesday the promising results of their joint mRNA-based vaccine in a Phase 3 melanoma clinical trial. The personalized vaccine, intended to target each patient's unique cancer mutations, demonstrated effectiveness against melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. Although the announcement provided limited details, a potential success in both mRNA vaccines and targeted cancer treatments is anticipated. The Phase 3 trial involved 1,137 patients with stage IIB–IV melanoma, who had undergone surgical removal before participating in the trial. The patients were split into two groups, with a two-to-one ratio, and received either the tailored mRNA vaccine (intismeran or mRNA-4157) combined with Merck's existing monoclonal antibody treatment Keytruda, or Keytruda alone. The trial was controlled and double-blind, ensuring neither the medical team nor the participants knew who received which treatment. Both patient groups underwent treatment for approximately a year.",
  "summary": "The vaccine reportedly thwarted the cancer's return and spread.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Merck, Moderna claim 'promising' skin cancer vaccine results in key trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/merck-moderna-claim-promising-skin-cancer-vaccine-results-in-key-trial-1954184",
        "published": "2026-08-19T14:11:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Medical Xpress",
        "title": "Merck, Moderna claim 'promising' skin cancer vaccine results in key trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/merck-moderna-claim-promising-skin-cancer-vaccine-results-in-key-trial",
        "published": "2026-08-19T14:16:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Merck, Moderna claim ‘promising’ skin cancer vaccine results in key trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/merck-moderna-claim-promising-skin-cancer-vaccine-results-in-key-trial-1954338",
        "published": "2026-08-19T14:27:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Finance",
        "title": "Moderna shares double as cancer vaccine data rekindles investor hopes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/moderna-shares-double-as-cancer-vaccine-data-rekindles-investor-hopes-1977340",
        "published": "2026-08-19T16:49:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ars Technica Health",
        "title": "mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in Phase 3 melanoma trial, Moderna and Merck say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/mrna-cancer-vaccine-succeeded-in-phase-3-melanoma-trial-moderna-and-1981445",
        "published": "2026-08-19T16:53:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Moderna shares double as cancer vaccine data rekindles investor hopes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/moderna-shares-double-as-cancer-vaccine-data-rekindles-investor-hopes",
        "published": "2026-08-19T16:55:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}