Lifestyle & Healthresearch summary
Moderna-Merck cancer vaccine data are days away, and the full numbers are still missing
Interim results say the Keytruda and intismeran combination beat Keytruda alone, but the size of the benefit has not been shared.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or another qualified professional about your own situation.
What is coming and where
The Moderna-Merck cancer vaccine data reveal is days away [1]. The European Society for Medical Oncology Congress is being held in Madrid, where the data are expected to be discussed [1].
The treatment pairs Keytruda with a customized mRNA vaccine, so the data matter to people who would receive that combination [2]. The companies said the data will be presented at an upcoming international medical meeting and shared with regulators [3].
What the interim results say
The interim results found that the Keytruda and intismeran combination reduced cancer recurrence and spread compared with Keytruda alone [2]. The combination surpassed Keytruda alone on the primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival and the key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival [3].
The extent of the benefit remains unclear pending detailed results [2]. The companies did not share specific data for either arm of the trial when the results were announced [3].
How the treatment is given and made
Treatment involves up to nine doses of Keytruda infused every six weeks, plus up to nine doses of the customized mRNA vaccine [2].
Each patient's vaccine must be designed and manufactured from their own tumor data, which makes production far more complex than for traditional batch-produced vaccines [2]. Ryan Sullivan said the tumor samples must be tracked through sequencing, vaccine design, manufacturing and delivery to ensure the correct vaccine reaches the right patient [2].
Limits and open questions
Overall survival data, which will show whether the combination lets patients live longer, were not yet available [2].
The treatment may work best in highly mutated cancers such as melanoma, which offer more tumor-specific targets for the vaccine [2]. Michael Atkins, a Georgetown Lombardi deputy director, said it is not clear the vaccine technology will work against other cancers [2].
Moderna is studying the intismeran and Keytruda combination in early-stage trials in pancreatic and stomach cancers [2].
The market reaction
BioNTech, a rival developer of individualized mRNA cancer vaccines, saw its shares jump 26% in the week [3]. Leerink Partners analyst Daina Graybosch said the market reaction was overly optimistic and creates expectations that will be difficult to meet [3].
What it means for you
If you follow this treatment, the coming presentation is the first place to look for specific data, since the companies did not share numbers for either arm of the trial [3].
Watch for the overall survival results, which will show whether the combination lets patients live longer and were not yet available [2]. Watch also for the size of the benefit over Keytruda alone, which remains unclear pending detailed results [2].
Sources
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