mRNA cancer vaccine
Human trialCompany-reported
- What happened
Merck and Moderna said their phase 3 trial in people whose high-risk melanoma had been removed met its main goal: with Keytruda, the vaccine lowered the risk of the cancer returning.
- Why it matters
Given with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda after surgery for high-risk melanoma, it cut the risk of the cancer coming back, or death, by 42% in a large trial.
Healio, 23 Oct 2026- How far from your life
Real-world testing
Personalized mRNA cancer vaccine (intismeran autogene) is on step 3 of 5. Could reach you in a few years if the tests go well.
- Source
“Merck and Moderna, Inc. have announced positive topline results from the phase III INTerpath-001 trial”The ASCO Post, 21 Aug 2026
Company-reported: the only source so far is the company itself. It still counts on the ladder, and we show the flag until an independent source backs it.
The bigger picture
More on mRNA cancer vaccine
On step 3 of 5: Real-world testing. Everything we track on it
- Human trial
Full results from 1,137 patients, presented at the ESMO Congress in Madrid: adding the vaccine to Keytruda cut the risk of recurrence or death by 42%.
“I’m genuinely excited about the results, and it is important to understand this is more than just a new drug.”Patrick Ott, Clinical director of the Melanoma Disease Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Healio, 23 Oct 2026