(Reuters) – Moderna and Merck announced their cancer vaccine combined with Keytruda improved survival in a mid-stage study. It showed durable efficacy in patients with deadly skin cancer.
Detailed trial data showed melanoma patients had a 96% survival rate after two and a half years with the vaccine combination. With Keytruda alone, the rate was 90.2%.
About 75% of the patients on the vaccine combination had recurrence-free survival, compared with 55.6% on Keytruda alone.
The latest data showed the vaccine’s durability, with a 49% reduced risk of recurrence or death. Patients on the combination had a median follow-up of nearly three years.
Moderna and Merck’s collaboration is one of the several in the industry that are combining powerful drugs to use the immune system for targeting cancer with the mRNA vaccine technology, which carries instructions for cells to make specific proteins.
Merck and Moderna, which have been collaborating since 2016, are also conducting a late-stage study of their vaccine and Keytruda combination.
Looking ahead, the impact of the Moderna Merck vaccine on the medical community and patients alike is profound. Medical professionals are optimistic about integrating this vaccine into regular treatment protocols. Furthermore, ongoing research aims to explore the vaccine’s potential against other types of cancer.
Ultimately, the success of the Moderna Merck vaccine highlights the importance of continued investment in innovative medical research. It is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that advancements in science can lead to life-saving treatments.
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