Science · 2026-10-23 · Morning briefing

Moderna's mRNA vaccine cuts melanoma recurrence by 42%

An experimental mRNA vaccine from Moderna and Merck reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 42% in a phase 3 clinical trial. The study involved 1,137 patients with high-risk skin cancer and tested the vaccine in combination with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, comparing it to patients who received the drug alone over a median of two years.

The dual treatment also lowered the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body or death by 38%. The companies released the data early after results leaked on social media, an announcement which was followed by a drop in Moderna's stock. Still, experts called the findings encouraging; Karen Knudsen, head of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, noted that such a vaccine was considered "fiction" only ten years ago.

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• Moderna and Merck say their mRNA cancer vaccine cut death, recurrence by 42%
• Merck/Moderna cancer vaccine cuts melanoma death or recurrence risk by 42%, shares fall
• Merck-Moderna Vaccine Cuts Melanoma Death-or-Recurrence Risk 42%
• Cancer Vaccine Cuts the Risk of Melanoma Recurrence, Drug Makers Report
• Experimental cancer vaccine cuts melanoma recurrence risk by 42%: Study

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