What is the new personalized skin cancer treatment from Moderna and Merck?

It is an investigational mRNA-based individualized neoantigen therapy that targets the genetic profile of individual tumors.

How effective is the combination of Moderna's therapy and Merck's Keytruda for melanoma?

Patients were 49% less likely to die or have their cancer return compared to those receiving only Keytruda.

What is melanoma and why is early detection important?

Melanoma is a dangerous skin cancer that can spread rapidly if not found and treated early, causing the majority of skin cancer deaths.

Home / Health / New Skin Cancer Therapy Halves Recurrence Risk

New Skin Cancer Therapy Halves Recurrence Risk

20 Jan

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Summary

Personalized mRNA therapy combines with Keytruda drug.
Treatment reduced melanoma recurrence or death by 49%.
Study results show prolonged benefit in high-risk patients.

New Skin Cancer Therapy Halves Recurrence Risk

A novel, personalized skin cancer treatment developed by Moderna and Merck is showing remarkable success in preventing the return of high-risk melanoma. Recent five-year study results indicate that patients receiving this investigational mRNA-based therapy alongside Merck's Keytruda were 49% less likely to experience cancer recurrence or death.

This innovative treatment works by targeting the specific genetic makeup of individual tumors. It instructs the body to identify and combat cancer cells, offering a highly personalized alternative to traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. The combination's prolonged benefit for patients with resected high-risk melanoma has been highlighted by researchers.

Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, remains a significant public health concern in the US. Melanoma accounts for a small percentage of skin cancers but causes the majority of deaths. The promising results from this new treatment offer a meaningful milestone in combating this aggressive form of cancer.