# Doctors Call Moderna-Merck Melanoma Vaccine Trial Results Meaningful By John Kim Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/39741 Published: 2026-10-24T07:06:10.000Z Updated: 2026-10-24T07:06:10.000Z Section: Business > The combination lowered the hazard of recurrence or death by 42% in a 1,137-patient trial, but an overall-survival benefit has not been established. Six melanoma specialists described results for Moderna and Merck’s personalized vaccine as clinically meaningful for patients treated after surgery. The Phase 3 findings show fewer recurrences or deaths with the vaccine combination, but they do not yet establish whether patients live longer. The INTerpath-001 trial enrolled 1,137 people with high-risk stage IIB-IV cutaneous melanoma that had been completely removed. Participants received either investigational intismeran autogene with pembrolizumab, sold as Keytruda, or Keytruda with a placebo. After a median 24.6 months, the combination lowered the hazard of recurrence or death by 42% compared with Keytruda alone. At two years, estimated recurrence-free survival was 82.2% for patients receiving the combination and 70.0% for those on Keytruda alone. The endpoint counts recurrence and death together, so the 42% reduction does not mean deaths alone fell by that amount. The combination was also associated with more treatment-related adverse events. They occurred in 95.8% of patients given the vaccine and Keytruda, compared with 90% of patients given Keytruda and placebo. Grade 3-5 treatment-related events occurred in 14.2% and 13.4%, respectively. Dr. Sekwon Jang, a melanoma specialist at Inova Schar Cancer and an investigator at a U.S. trial site, called the findings a potential “major breakthrough in melanoma treatment.” Specialists said the results could eventually support the treatment as an option for some patients after surgery. Those assessments are clinical views; they do not amount to regulatory approval or a guideline recommendation. Intismeran autogene is an experimental mRNA therapy designed around mutations in a patient’s tumor. The study tested it after surgery and did not compare it with immunotherapy given before surgery. Overall-survival data remain immature, and the trial will continue to track that outcome. Moderna shares closed at $202.63 on Oct. 22, down 17.57% from the previous close; the move followed the results release and was detailed in [earlier market coverage](). Moderna and Merck are engaging with regulators, but have provided no filing date or approval timetable. The companies are scheduled to present the full results at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10:30 a.m. ET (14:30 UTC). ## Links in this article - [earlier market coverage](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/38680)