# Moderna and Merck's Personalized Melanoma Vaccine Shows Promise in New Trial
A personalized cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 44 percent when combined with Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda, according to new trial data. The vaccine, called V940, represents a shift toward tailored cancer treatments that target individual tumor mutations.
Researchers tested V940 on 514 patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma who had surgery to remove their tumors. Patients received either V940 plus Keytruda or Keytruda alone. After three years, the combination group had significantly lower rates of cancer returning or spreading.
Here's how it works. V940 uses mRNA technology, the same approach behind Moderna's COVID vaccine. Doctors analyze each patient's tumor DNA to identify unique mutations, then create a personalized vaccine that trains the immune system to recognize and attack those specific mutations. This individualized approach differs from traditional one-size-fits-all cancer treatments.
The vaccine requires cooperation between two major pharmaceutical companies. Moderna manufactures the personalized vaccine component while Merck supplies Keytruda, an immunotherapy that helps the body's immune system fight cancer cells.
Melanoma kills roughly 7,000 Americans annually, making it one of the deadliest skin cancers. Early-stage melanoma has high survival rates when caught and removed surgically, but advanced cases that have spread pose serious challenges. This vaccine offers patients with high-risk melanoma a new preventive strategy after surgery.
The FDA previously granted V940 a priority review designation, suggesting regulators view it as potentially beneficial. Full approval timelines remain unclear, but the trial results strengthen the case for personalized cancer vaccines in dermatology and beyond.
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