Personalized mRNA cancer vaccine (intismeran autogene)
Each course is made for one patient. Doctors read the mutations in a sample of the patient's tumor, and the vaccine's mRNA codes for up to 34 of the abnormal proteins they produce, to train the immune system against that cancer. The mRNA is packed in lipid nanoparticles.
The ASCO Post, 21 Aug 2026How far from your life: Could reach you in a few years if the tests go well.
Independently sourcedFrom lab to your life
Why it’s on step 3
- 1Lab discovery
- 2Working prototype
- 3Real-world testing
- 4Approved or on sale
- 5Everyday life
The rule
Tested in people in a clinical trial, in real conditions in a field or road trial, or delivered as samples to named customers.
- 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%. Healio, 23 Oct 2026
- 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. The ASCO Post, 21 Aug 2026
The short version
What you need to know
- 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- Is it really nano?
Truly nano
The personalized mRNA is the new part, but like every mRNA medicine it only reaches cells inside lipid nanoparticles.
Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug 2026- Who’s behind it
Moderna and Merck
On the record
Every step, dated
Newest first. Company-reported means the only source so far is the company itself.
- 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 - Human trialCompany-reported
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.
The ASCO Post, 21 Aug 2026
Who makes it
The companies
- MRNANasdaqModerna
Develops mRNA medicines carried in lipid nanoparticles, including a personalized cancer vaccine with Merck.
We track:mRNA vaccinesmRNA cancer vaccine
- MRKNYSEMerck & Co.
Develops intismeran autogene, a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, with Moderna.
We track:mRNA cancer vaccine
Sources
Where every line comes from
Each source with the passage, word for word, that backs what we wrote.
- The ASCO Post, 21 Aug 2026
Each therapy consists of a synthetic mRNA coding for up to 34 neoantigens
- Healio, 23 Oct 2026
The combination reduced risk for recurrence or death by 42%, findings presented at ESMO Congress showed.
- Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug 2026
comes encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles.
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