A potentially historic development in the fight against cancer: Moderna, in collaboration with Merck, is almost there with its mRNA vaccine for melanoma. Preliminary results indicate a significant reduction in the risk of recurrence and death among patients with this serious form of skin cancer. Using one approach similar to their COVID-19 vaccine, the new vaccine mRNA-4157 (V940) is showing promising results in reducing the mortality rate and spread of cancer.
What is melanoma and why is it so serious?
Melanoma is a form of cancer that develops from skin cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin color. It is known to be more serious than other types of skin cancer because it tends to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body if not treated promptly. Its causes are varied, including excessive exposure to UV rays from the sun, and its incidence is increasing worldwide.
The technology of mRNA vaccines
To understand how this vaccine works, we must first understand what mRNA vaccines are and how they work. mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine. Instead of introducing an inactivated pathogen or part of it into the body (as in traditional vaccines), mRNA vaccines provide the body's cells with instructions to produce a protein specific to the pathogen, in this case the tumor, thus stimulating an immune response.
How does the mRNA-4157 (V940) melanoma vaccine work?
The vaccine mRNA-4157 (V940) from Moderna and Merck works by introducing a piece of synthetic mRNA into the body that encodes 34 neoantigens, which are unique proteins present only in cancer cells. Once the body's cells begin to produce these neoantigens, the immune system recognizes them as foreign and begins to produce an immune response against them.
The importance of "personalization" of the melanoma vaccine
A key feature of this vaccine is its “personalization”. Each tumor has a unique mutational profile in the DNA of its cells. Therefore, the vaccine is personalized for each patient, based on the genetic profile of their tumor, thus maximizing the effectiveness of the treatment. Merck and Moderna they started a phase 3 trial which will involve approximately 1.000 people with stage IV melanoma. Final results are expected in 2028, but this phase is expected to mainly serve to confirm the results obtained so far. While further data is awaited, Moderna is already working to obtain conditional approval of the vaccine, expected in 2025.
While the path to approval and widespread use remains long, the results obtained so far offer hope and demonstrate the revolutionary potential of mRNA vaccines in the treatment of cancer. Hoping that their approval process is as transparent as possible and does not create divisions.
