A new study reduces melanoma skin cancer death risk by 44%

Skin cancer, characterized by uncontrolled growth of pigment cells, is a serious health concern. Scientists reported that in 2020 alone, global cases surged to 325,000. In the US, it is a common cancer type, with high death rates. Moderna predicts around 100,000 new incidents and 8,000 fatalities by 2023.

In December, Moderna and Merck jointly announced promising results for a treatment combination involving mRNA 4157 (V940) and Keytruda (Pembrolizumab). The companies implemented a study on patients who underwent total removal of high-risk stage III/IV melanoma. They discovered that the use of mRNA 4157 (V940) alongside Keytruda produced more favorable results than Keytruda alone. This combination showed continual progression in two critical aspects of cancer treatment - Recurrence Free Survival (RFS) and Distant Metastasis Free Survival (DMFS).

"After monitoring patients in the KEYNOTE 942/mRNA 4157 P201 study, the considerable clinical benefit of mRNA 4157 (V940) as an adjuvant cure in combination with KEYTRUDA in patients with resected high-risk melanoma is constantly amazing," said Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna's Senior Vice President and Head of Development, Therapeutics, and Oncology.

After three years of treatment, patients subjected to the combination therapy displayed reduced chances of cancer recurrence or spreading to distant body sites. This evidence is promising and implies that the combined therapy can notably help high-risk melanoma patients by reducing the odds of cancer recurrence and thwarting its dissemination post-surgery, as explained by Moderna. The combined therapy resulted in a significant 49 percent reduction in the cancer recurrence or death risk and an impressive 62 percent reduction in risk of metastasis or death.

These advancements highlight the combination treatment's potential in significantly boosting the postoperative results for high-risk melanoma patients. The successful results prompted the start of phase 3 trials in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer and plans for wider application to other tumor types.

Committed to accelerating research for groundbreaking approaches in earlier cancer stages, Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, at Merck Research Laboratories, said, "By combining Merck's proficiency in immuno-oncology with Moderna's ground-breaking mRNA technology, we can make a profound impact on patients." "We are thrilled with the recurrence-free survival results for V940 (mRNA 4157), and look forward to collaborating with Moderna to expand our clinical development program for this individualized neoantigen therapy.".