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August 19, 2026 / 9:03 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Moderna is touting a "landmark moment" in its experimental melanoma treatment, saying its vaccine could help prevent the deadly skin cancer from returning or spreading.The groundbreaking clinical trial studied over 1,100 people whose melanoma was in advanced stages, taking a piece of a patient's tumor and using it to build a shot, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Céline Gounder explained.The results came from a Phase 3 trial, the last stage before a Food and Drug Administration review.Gounder, who has had melanoma herself but noticed it very early, said the trial is "a big win for mRNA vaccines against cancer." Following the news, Moderna's stock more than doubled on Wednesday morning.Here's what to know about the melanoma vaccine:How does the melanoma vaccine work?After a piece of the patient's tumor is removed, it is analyzed to identify the unique mutations present, CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook said. Artificial intelligence is then used to help scientists figure out which of the hundreds of mutations should be included in the vaccine. Like other mRNA vaccines, Moderna's melanoma vaccine delivers synthetic mRNA into cells, delivering a "one-two punch" to melanoma, LaPook said.
