Melanoma is a severe skin cancer that involves uncontrolled pigment cell growth. According to a statement by the scientists, global cases reached 325,000 in 2020, and in the U.S., it’s a prevalent cancer type with high mortality.
Furthermore, Moderna noted around 100,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths are projected in 2023.
Combination therapy involved mRNA-4157 (V940) and Keytruda
Earlier in December, Moderna and Merck collaboratively announced encouraging findings regarding a treatment combination involving mRNA-4157 (V940) and Keytruda (Pembrolizumab).
The firms conducted a study with patients who had undergone complete removal of high-risk stage III/IV melanoma.
The research revealed that using mRNA-4157 (V940) combined with Keytruda resulted in more promising outcomes than when Keytruda was used solely.
This combination treatment demonstrated continued progress in two critical factors of cancer treatment – Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS) and Distant Metastasis-Free Survival (DMFS).
“As we continue to follow participants in the KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 study, we are excited to see such a robust clinical benefit with mRNA-4157 (V940) as adjuvant treatment in combination with KEYTRUDA in people with resected high-risk melanoma,” stated Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s Senior Vice President and Head of Development, Therapeutics and Oncology.
Patients less likely to experience recurrence of cancer
After three years of treatment, patients who received the combination therapy were less likely to experience a recurrence of cancer or its spread to distant parts of the body.
These findings are promising and suggest that this combination treatment could significantly benefit individuals with high-risk melanoma by reducing the chances of cancer recurrence and preventing its spread following surgical removal, according to the statement by Moderna.
Furthermore, the integrated treatment led to a noteworthy 49 percent reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence or death and a substantial 62 percent reduction in the risk of cancer spreading to distant body parts or death.
These developments signify the potential of the combination treatment to significantly enhance the post-surgical outcomes for individuals with high-risk melanoma, presenting a promising approach to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and prevent its spread to other parts of the body.
The results led to the initiation of Phase 3 trials in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer and plans for further expansion into other tumor types.
Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories, stated:
“We are committed to driving research forward for innovative modalities in earlier stages of cancer, where we can make the most meaningful impact for patients by combining Merck’s expertise in immuno-oncology with Moderna’s innovative mRNA technology,”
“We are pleased to see the results from this planned analysis on recurrence-free survival for V940 (mRNA-4157), and look forward to working with Moderna in expanding our clinical development program for the individualized neoantigen therapy.”
by: Shubhangi Dua
published on Interesting Engineering