{
  "id": 2000614,
  "title": "Moderna anuncia vacina contra o câncer de pele e ação dispara 150%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/moderna-anuncia-vacina-contra-o-cancer-de-pele-e-acao-dispara-150",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T19:11:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Brazil Journal",
    "slug": "brazil-journal",
    "url": "https://braziljournal.com/moderna-anuncia-vacina-contra-o-cancer-de-pele-e-acao-dispara-150/"
  },
  "original_language": "pt",
  "account": "Moderna announced an experimental mRNA vaccine, developed in partnership with Merck, that reduced the risk of recurrence and progression of melanoma in high-risk patients, according to results released on Wednesday. Moderna's shares jumped as much as 161.32 USD after the announcement, a dizzying intraday rise of 158%. Merck's stock rose 12%. Moderna's mRNA vaccine, combined with Merck's Keytruda immunotherapy, was produced from analysis of mutations found in patients' tumors. The clinical trial involved 1,137 high-risk patients with stage IIB to IV melanoma who had undergone surgical removal of the tumor. Though the study is still ongoing, preliminary results indicate the treatment, called intismeran, achieved the trial's two primary goals: reducing the risk of cancer recurrence and disease spread to other body parts. \"This is the first time an mRNA therapy demonstrates benefit against cancer. And, for the first time, a therapy developed specifically from an individual patient's genetic signature - their neoantigens - showed clinical benefit,\" said Moderna's head of development, David Berman. According to Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel, the pharmaceutical company must present the data to regulators as soon as possible. \"We hope the treatment will be available to patients by 2027.\" In the clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive up to nine doses of Keytruda combined with the personalized vaccine or just Keytruda, for about a year. Merck's Keytruda is one of the standard treatments for melanoma. The companies disclosed in January the results of a phase 2 study that showed a 49% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death after five years of follow-up. The new vaccine illustrates how Moderna is diversifying its portfolio beyond the Covid-19 vaccine. The company received FDA approval in July for a flu vaccine and is developing experimental vaccines for diseases like norovirus and Lyme disease. Since the end of the Covid-19 vaccine boom, Moderna has seen a significant drop in revenue. Revenue, which peaked at $19.3 billion in 2022, fell to $1.94 billion in 2025. Analysts point to the experimental cancer vaccine as a key bet to reposition the company for growth. In July, Barclays estimated the drug could generate about $3 billion in annual sales for melanoma treatment by 2035. J.P. Morgan analysts see the launch of intismeran as a fundamental element for Moderna to become profitable again. Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. The National Cancer Institute (INCA) estimates about 9,360 new cases per year in Brazil. In the United States, about 1.5 million people live with the disease. Merck is worth about $365 billion on the stock exchange. Moderna has more than doubled in size, to around $49 billion.",
  "summary": "Uma vacina experimental de mRNA, desenvolvida pela Moderna em parceria com a Merck, reduziu o risco de recorrência e progressão do melanoma em pacientes de alto risco, segundo resultados divulgados nesta quarta-feira. As ações da Moderna dispararam e chegaram a ser negociadas a US$ 161,32 depois do anúncio, uma vertiginosa alta intradiária de 158%. Os […] The post Moderna anuncia vacina contra o…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}