Amgen vaccine triggers immune response in advanced melanoma

[Locutus]

(Reuters) - An experimental Amgen Inc cancer vaccine used to treat advanced melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, proved effective in a late-stage study in shrinking tumors in a way that suggests the drug triggered the intended systemic immune response, according to data presented on Friday.

The vaccine shrank tumors that were directly injected with the drug and tumors around the body that were not injected, according to the data.

The drug, talimogene laherparepvec, also known as T-vec, is an engineered virus designed to replicate inside the injected tumor, killing cancer cells there, as well as prime the immune system to attack other cancer cells around body.

Dr. Robert Andtbacka, one of the study's lead investigators, in a telephone interview, called the results "very encouraging."


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CORRECTED-Amgen vaccine triggers immune response in advanced melanoma -study | Reuters

 

[Tonington]

It's an attenuated herpes virus. Very nice selective treatment. If the phase IV trials continue to show promising results like this, they'll have quite the blockbuster.

 

[Nuggler]

here's hoping

 

[darkbeaver]

It's an attenuated herpes virus. Very nice selective treatment. If the phase IV trials continue to show promising results like this, they'll have quite the blockbuster.

It's inappropriate to mention possible profit motive when clearly the health and welfare of victims is first and formost in the minds of all the wonderful people involved in this marvelous breakthrough. I;m shocked and dissillooshioned about your post.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Engineered viruses. Not sure what could possibly go wrong.

(If you need a list there are probably 10 or more movies of some sort or other which deal with this type of scenario.)

 

[Goober]

Engineered viruses. Not sure what could possibly go wrong.

(If you need a list there are probably 10 or more movies of some sort or other which deal with this type of scenario.)

New colorectal cancer target found in stem cell gene - Medical News Today
Researchers in Canada found that switching off a gene in the cancer stem cells that drive colon cancer stops them from being able to renew themselves. They say their study offers a starting point to treatments that could shut the cancer down.

Cancer stem cells are cells that have the ability to differentiate into all the types of cell that exist in that type of tumor.

 

[spaminator]

Merck, Moderna claim 'promising' skin cancer vaccine results in key trial
Both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency have placed the therapy on an expedited review pathway.

Author of the article:AFP
AFP
Published Aug 19, 2026 • 1 minute read
Senior woman getting skin checked by dermatologist
Photo by goodluz /Adobe Stock

Paris, France, Aug 19, 2026 (AFP) — US pharmaceutical firms Merck and Moderna announced Wednesday encouraging results from a trial of their experimental vaccine against melanoma, potentially clearing the way for approval.


The vaccine, called intismeran autogene, showed “statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements” for skin cancer patients when used with Merck’s Keytruda treatment, the companies said in a statement.

Unlike conventional vaccines, so-called therapeutic vaccines like intismeran treat rather than prevent a disease, by training the body’s own immune system against a tumour or other invaders.

“This represents the first positive Phase 3 readout for an individualized neoantigen therapy (INT) and for an mRNA-based cancer therapy,” the companies said.

They were referring to messenger RNA technology, which proved highly effective against serious forms of Covid-19.

They did not provide specific details of the study results, nor say when the US Food and Drug Administration might accept the vaccine’s admission for approval.


Both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency have placed the therapy on an expedited review pathway.

Melanoma is one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer, with over 330,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide in 2022, the companies said.

“For many years, the idea of creating an mRNA treatment designed specifically for an individual patient’s cancer was aspirational. We are now helping turn that vision into a reality,” Modern’s CEO Stephane Bancel said in the statement.

In pre-market trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Moderna’s shares were surging around 65 percent ahead of the official opening Wednesday.

Skin Cancer | Healthing.ca

From basal cell carcinoma to melanoma, skin cancer requires vigilance. This collection emphasizes prevention and early detection of changing moles. Articles cover the spectrum of care, from Mohs surgery to immunotherapy, sharing patient experiences that highlight the importance of sun safety and...

healthing.ca

Merck, Moderna claim 'promising' skin cancer vaccine results in key trial

Both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency have placed the therapy on an expedited review pathway.

torontosun.com