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Merck and Moderna's melanoma vaccine posts first positive Phase 3 for a personalized mRNA cancer therapy

8/21/2026

The clinical constraint in melanoma treatment has been the tumor's own genetic individuality.

Each patient's cancer carries a distinct neoantigen signature, which limits how far a population-level checkpoint inhibitor can go on its own.

INTerpath-001, the Phase 3 trial sponsored by Merck and Moderna, now delivers the first late-stage evidence that pairing a patient-specific mRNA vaccine with KEYTRUDA meaningfully reduces the risk of the cancer returning or spreading.

How the neoantigen selection works After a patient undergoes surgery to remove high-risk melanoma (Stage IIB through Stage IV), clinicians sample both the tumor and healthy tissue.