A potential cancer vaccine, mRNA-4359, developed by Moderna, is showing promise as a new treatment for advanced cancers, according to the results of an early clinical trial. The vaccine, which targets advanced melanoma, lung cancer, and other solid tumors, aims to train the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells using mRNA technology similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines.
In the first human trial, 19 patients with advanced solid tumors received between one and nine doses of mRNA-4359. Among the 16 evaluated patients, eight showed no tumor growth or new tumor formation. The treatment was reported to be well-tolerated without serious side effects, marking it as an important initial step in developing new cancer therapies. told by The Independent.
Dr. Debashis Sarker, the UK chief investigator and a clinical reader in experimental oncology at King’s College London, described the study as “a huge international effort” and highlighted the potential of mRNA cancer immunotherapy. However, he cautioned that the study’s small patient size means it’s too early to determine the treatment’s overall effectiveness for advanced cancers.
The trial results will be presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Barcelona. Moderna’s senior vice president, Kyle Holen, expressed optimism about the vaccine’s ability to elicit strong immune responses and potentially create a more immune-permissive environment around tumors.
The mRNA-4359 trial is part of a broader effort to develop mRNA-based cancer treatments. This includes ongoing studies like the phase 3 trial of a personalized mRNA vaccine for melanoma and trials of other vaccines, such as BioNTech’s BNT116 for lung cancer. These innovative approaches use DNA sequencing and artificial intelligence to tailor treatments specifically to a patient’s tumor, offering new hope for individuals with advanced solid tumors. report from NIH.
