A vaccine against cancerwhich uses the same technology as the Covid-19 vaccines, reduces the risk of tumors coming back in patients with advanced melanoma.
The injection from the pharmaceutical companies Merck and Moderna, combined with an immunotherapy drug, reduced the possibility relapse or death in patients after surgery by 44% compared to the drug alone.
Regarding the joint development, the pharmaceutical companies announced the results as a “tremendous step forward” and a “new paradigm” moment. And they announced they will “rapidly” seek approval for a late-stage clinical trial that will confirm the vaccine’s efficacy in a larger group of patients.
They identified key cells to prevent metastasis and relapse of colon cancer
Notably, while the results are statistically significant, they explained that they have not been reviewed by independent scientists. If approved, shot could be very expensive: Similar cancer vaccines being tested they cost around $100,000 each app.
In the latest phase 2 study, 157 patients received the personalized vaccines along with Merck’s immunotherapy drug Keytruda. All have stage three or four melanoma — the riskiest states — and received treatment after the tumors were surgically removed.
It was then compared to a control group with high-risk melanoma who had had surgery but only received Keytruda immunotherapy.
Skin cancer: how does it occur and how to prevent it?
Paul Burton, Moderna’s chief medical officerstated that the combination “has the potential to be a new paradigm in cancer treatment.”
For his part, Stephane Bancel, CEO of Modernasaid: ‘Today’s results are very encouraging for the field of cancer treatment. “mRNA has been transformative for Covid and now, for the first time, we have demonstrated the potential for mRNA to impact outcomes in a randomized clinical trial in melanoma.”
In addition, information that additional studies will begin in melanoma and other forms of cancer, with the goal of providing “truly individualized to patients” cancer treatments. “We look forward to publishing the full data set and sharing the results at an upcoming oncology medical conference, as well as with health authorities.”Bancel said.
How the melanoma vaccine works
The vaccine uses DNA taken through a biopsy of each patient’s tumor. It then analyzes the cancer sample and identifies tumor cells known as neoepitopes.
Moderna selects several dozen neoepitopes that they believe would generate the strongest immune response in a patient. and insert the genetic codes for these neo-epitopes into a vaccine.
Once inside the body, the messenger RNA instructs the patient’s cells to produce the neoepitopes. This is believed to trigger an immune response that can better attack and kill cancer cells.
The vaccine is given in nine doses every three weeks.along with drug treatment keytruda every three weeks.
ag/ds
You may also like
