Daily Skimm: A new mRNA vaccine shows promising signs of helping skin cancer patients.

Shot of Possibilities

The Story

An experimental vaccine against melanoma recurrence is showing signs of promise.

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Yesterday, pharma giants Moderna and Merck presented new findings on their skin cancer vaccine. The companies said results from a Phase 2 trial showed that combining their experimental mRNA shot with immunotherapy could reduce the risk of death or the return of melanoma by 44%. If you’re wondering why mRNA sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same tech used in some COVID vaccines. In this case, the mRNA shot doesn’t help prevent the disease. Instead, it's designed to reduce a high-risk patient's chances of getting the cancer again. Now, researchers are showing that individualized vaccines could help battle one of the deadliest skin cancers in the world.

How did the trial work?

Grab your lab coats, here’s where it can get technical. The trial followed 157 patients who had their melanoma tumor surgically removed but had a high risk of their cancer returning. After analyzing each tumor, researchers created a personalized mRNA vaccine that trained a patient's immune system to recognize and fight 34 different proteins linked to the cancer. Over the course of the trial, 107 patients received nine doses of their personalized shot and 18 cycles of Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda — which prevents cancer cells from hiding. The 50 remaining patients only received the immunotherapy drug. The trial results found that about 79% of people who used both treatments were cancer-free 18 months later, compared to about 62% of patients who used Keytruda alone. Side effects included fatigue and chills.

What’s next?

The companies could launch their Phase 3 trial as early as this summer. Then, it could take another few years before the results are sent to and approved by the FDA. In the meantime, Moderna and Merck said they will expand their research to target other cancers like lung cancer. They're not the only ones. BioNTech reportedly said it'll start testing its own mRNA cancer vaccine against ovarian and lung cancer this year. Doctors are calling the results a “breakthrough” and a “game-changer” in the cancer treatment market. But one doctor says waiting it out first is necessary to “see what survival over time looks like.”

theSkimm

About 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma each year. Now, the vaccine technology that's helping fight a pandemic could keep melanoma survivors cancer-free, and it also opens the door to other future treatments.

What people are keeping a close eye on…

Sudan. Over the weekend, nearly a hundred people died and nearly 600 others were injured in clashes between the country's two rival military leaders. Nearly four years ago, protests pushed former President Omar al-Bashir out of power after three decades. After that, Sudan tried to transition into a democracy, but the country’s two top generals united and seized power in a coup. Apparently, two is a crowd because now those two generals — Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo — have turned against each other and are fighting for control in the capital of Khartoum. Now, other countries are calling for peace in Sudan. Egypt and South Sudan have said they are ready to step in and help with peace negotiations. Sec of State Antony Blinken said it’s “essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities.” The UN’s World Food Programme said it’s temporarily suspending operations in the country after three emergency employees were killed in clashes.

Who'll have to wait to suit up for court…

Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems. Yesterday, a Delaware judge delayed the trial between the two until tomorrow amid reported settlement talks. The court showdown had been scheduled to start today. During the 2020 election, Fox News falsely claimed Dominion’s voting machines were rigged against former President Trump. Dominion, a private company, responded with a lawsuit, asking for $1.6 billion in damages. The company claims Fox’s executives, guests, and hosts (like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity) knew the claims weren’t true and kept repeating them to save the network’s ratings. Fox has argued ‘it’s not on us’ because those allegations came directly from a sitting president. The network also maintains it's protected under the First Amendment. Unless a settlement is reached, Dominion has to convince a jury that Fox acted with “actual malice” — reckless disregard for the truth — and should pay up.

Where people are mourning…

Alabama. Over the weekend, at least four people died after a shooting at a Sweet 16 party in central Alabama. More than 28 others were injured. Authorities are asking the Dadeville community — which is about an hour from the state capital of Montgomery — to come forward with information as they investigate. It's not clear if a suspect is in custody. Meanwhile, a separate shooting at a park in Louisville, KY, left two people dead and four others injured. Officials said an unidentified suspect opened fire at the crowded park and are still investigating. It comes just days after a mass shooting at a Louisville bank killed five people — marking the 15th mass killing in the country this year.

Where class is back in session…

Rutgers University. Over the weekend, a union representing full and part-time faculty said it reached an agreement with the school to increase salaries and end a historic five-day strike. Now, the university's 67,000 students are returning to campus today.

While SpaceX will be taking to the skies...

About 30,000 runners are hoping to cross the finish line. 

When you couldn't make it to Coachella...

At least you could watch the "Love is Blind" reunion...oh wait.