Moderna, Merck's Groundbreaking Melanoma Treatment Shows Promise in Combination Therapy Study

Melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer characterized by uncontrolled pigment cell growth, poses a significant global health concern.

FDA Announces Stricter Guidelines For Sun Screens — MIAMI, FL - JUNE 15: Doctor Antonella Tost, Dermatologist University of Miami School of Medicine, examines Michael Casa Nova,12, for symptoms of skin cancer due to sun exposure on June 15, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The federal Food and Drug Administration announced that sunscreen manufacturers are to change the labels on their products to prohibit the use of certain marketing terms. The new rules are meant to help clear up confusion about the meaning of "sun protection factor," or SPF, and other terms like "waterproof." Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Combination Therapy Findings

In a notable development in December, Interesting Engineering reported that Moderna and Merck jointly disclosed promising findings related to a combination therapy involving mRNA-4157 (V940) and Keytruda (Pembrolizumab).

The collaborative study focused on patients who had undergone complete removal of high-risk stage III/IV melanoma. Results from the research demonstrated that the combined use of mRNA-4157 (V940) and Keytruda exhibited more favorable outcomes compared to the sole application of Keytruda.

In the ongoing exploration of the KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 study, the combined therapy has shown noteworthy advancements in pivotal aspects of cancer treatment, specifically, Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS) and Distant Metastasis-Free Survival (DMFS).

Dr. Kyle Holen, Moderna's Senior Vice President and Head of Development, Therapeutics, and Oncology, expressed enthusiasm about the substantial clinical benefits observed with mRNA-4157 (V940) as an adjuvant treatment when combined with KEYTRUDA.

The study focuses on individuals with surgically removed high-risk melanoma, showcasing encouraging developments in the realm of cancer care.

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In 2020, NCBI reported cases worldwide reached 325,000, and within the United States, it stands as a prevalent cancer type with a high mortality rate. Adding to this alarming scenario, Moderna highlighted projections of around 100,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths related to melanoma in 2023.

Promising Results

After a three-year treatment period, individuals subjected to the combination therapy exhibited a decreased likelihood of cancer recurrence or metastasis to distant body regions.

Moderna underscores the promise inherent in these findings, suggesting that the combined treatment holds significant potential for individuals with high-risk melanoma. The comprehensive approach aims to curtail cancer recurrence and hinder its dissemination post-surgery.

The integrated therapy resulted in a substantial 49% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence or death, coupled with a noteworthy 62% reduction in the risk of cancer spreading to distant body parts or death.

These outcomes underscore the capacity of the combination treatment to profoundly improve post-surgical outcomes for those grappling with high-risk melanoma, offering a promising avenue to mitigate cancer recurrence risks and impede its spread.

Buoyed by these results, Phase 3 trials have been initiated for melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, with plans for broader applications in other tumor types.

Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, emphasizes the commitment to advancing research in earlier cancer stages.

The collaborative effort harnesses Merck's expertise in immuno-oncology and Moderna's innovative mRNA technology to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.