In Madrid, the results leaked ahead of time. Moderna and Merck presented on Thursday the trial of their messenger RNA vaccine against melanoma, intismeran autogene. Combined with Keytruda, Merck’s immunotherapy, it cuts the risk of relapse or death by 42% compared with Keytruda alone, after a median follow-up of 24.6 months, in patients who have had surgery.
42%
less risk of relapse or death
34 targets for a single tumour
The principle is bespoke. The patient’s tumour is sequenced to pick out up to 34 markers specific to the cancer cells, then the messenger RNA teaches the lymphocytes to hunt them down, using the technology of the Covid-19 vaccines. The risk of distant metastases falls by 38%.
The good result that costs 25%
Analysts expected between 40% and 50%. Moderna’s shares nonetheless fell by close to 25%, Merck’s by about 1%. A William Blair analyst speaks of selling on the news, while TD Cowen judges the data likely to change practice. Further trials follow in lung, bladder and kidney cancer. Is progress against cancer worth less when everyone was expecting it?
