Personalised melanoma treatment shows promising results
24 Aug 2026
The Phase 3 trial tested intismeran, an mRNA-based treatment designed around the unique features of each patient’s melanoma tumour. It was given with pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda.
The trial included 1137 people with surgically removed stage IIB to IV melanoma. Participants received either the combination of intismeran and pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab alone.
Moderna and MSD reported that the combination produced a statistically significant reduction in the risk of recurrence. However, detailed results have not yet been released or independently reviewed in a peer-reviewed publication.
Earlier Phase 2b research found a 49% reduction in the risk of recurrence or death, while the risk of cancer spreading or death fell by 59%.
Professor Georgina Long, lead investigator of the Phase 3 trial and Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia, described the findings as an important development in melanoma treatment.
Associate Professor Joel Rhee, RACGP Specific Interests Cancer and Palliative Care Chair, said the results were encouraging, particularly given the high prevalence of melanoma in Australia. However, he said the detailed trial results would need to be reviewed before drawing firm conclusions.
Associate Professor Seth Cheetham from The University of Queensland said the large Phase 3 trial was important because it provided evidence about how the treatment performs in a much larger patient group.
The personalised approach is designed to create a treatment based on the individual genetic features of a patient's tumour. Researchers say this could represent an important step towards more personalised cancer treatment.
Melanoma remains a significant health issue in Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated around 17,400 new melanoma cases and 1455 deaths from the disease in 2025.
Personalised melanoma treatment shows promising results
Source: RACGP newsGP, with information from Moderna, MSD and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.