Moderna-Merck cancer vaccine data unveiled at ESMO Madrid

· Health · Spain · United States

The most anticipated readout of this year's ESMO congress in Madrid was the Phase 3 study of the personalized mRNA cancer vaccine from Merck and Moderna, with data released Thursday. According to STAT, the vaccine reduced recurrence-free survival and the time until distant metastasis occurred. Endpoints described the presentation as the "presidential" slot everyone had been waiting for, and its weekly newsletter led with the Merck-Moderna readout on Day 2 of the meeting. Personalized mRNA cancer vaccines are designed to train a patient's immune system against mutations specific to their tumor, a long-running bet by both companies. The five-day Madrid congress drew an estimated 40,000 delegates and has featured new data from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Bayer as well. The melanoma results are the most advanced test yet of the technology.

Why it matters：The melanoma data are the furthest-advanced test of personalized mRNA cancer vaccines, so the result shapes expectations for a technology that could change how solid tumors are treated after surgery.

Key points

  • Data were released Thursday, ahead of the presentation, according to STAT.
  • The vaccine reduced recurrence-free survival time and time until distant metastasis.
  • ESMO's Madrid congress drew roughly 40,000 delegates over five days.

Sources (original reporting)

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