A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine combined with the immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA has shown sustained benefits over five years for patients with high-risk melanoma.
The phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study, presented at ASCO in Chicago, found that the combo drug intismeran autogene plus pembrolizumab reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone.
Researchers analyzed data from 157 patients with stage 3 and 4 melanoma whose cancer had been surgically removed. The treatment is designed using mutations from a patient's own tumor to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
The findings revealed that the combination group saw benefits that were 'sustained and durable over time.' The therapy was well-tolerated with no severe vaccine-related adverse events reported.
Moderna's senior vice president Kyle Holen noted the data highlights the potential of 'prolonged benefit' for patients with resected high-risk melanoma. The combination therapy is now being evaluated in a phase 3 study.
Dr. Marjorie Green of Merck Research Laboratories called the results a 'meaningful milestone' for patients facing significant recurrence risk after surgery.