Moderna and Merck developed mRNA-4157/V940, an investigational personalised mRNA cancer vaccine in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of high-risk melanoma following complete resection.
The combination of mRNA-4157/V940 with KEYTRUDA demonstrated efficacy in an investigational mRNA cancer treatment for the first time in a randomised clinical trial and has resulted a potentially new frontier for the treatment of melanoma and other cancers.
mRNA- 157/V9 0 consists of a single synthetic mRNA encoding up to 34 neoantigens designed and produced using the unique mutational signature of a given patient's tumour. After injection, vaccine neoantigen sequences are endogenously translated to undergo natural cellular antigen processing and presentation.
Personalised cancer vaccines are developed to boost the patients immune system so that they can develop a anti-tumour response specific to the tumour's mutational characteristics.
KEYTRUDA is an immunotherapy which increases the body's immune system's and consists of the ability to help identify and fight tumour cells.
U.S. FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation for mRNA-4157/V940, a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine, in combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab).