{"id":"1792707075020-news-segment","slug":"moderna-s-cancer-vaccine-leak-tanks-stock","title":"Moderna's cancer vaccine leak tanks stock","summary":"Detailed Phase 3 INTerpath-001 results for Moderna and Merck's personalized mRNA cancer vaccine (intismeran autogene, V940/mRNA-4157) plus Keytruda were released early after an embargo breach. The combination reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42% (HR 0.58) compared with Keytruda alone in patients with completely resected high-risk melanoma. Two-year recurrence-free survival was 82.2% vs 70.0%, and the risk of distant metastasis or death was reduced by 38%. Moderna shares closed down about 17–18% on Oct. 22; Merck fell about 1.8%. [cancernetwork.com](https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/intismeran-plus-pembrolizumab-reduces-recurrence-risk-in-resected-melanoma), [fiercebiotech.com](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-co-and-moderna-post-phase-3-cancer-vaccine-data), [independ\n\nModerna's stock had already risen sharply this year — more than eightfold per one analysis, and nearly quadrupled since August when top-line success was first announced — so investors had priced in very high expectations. The 42% risk reduction was below the 49% seen in the smaller Phase 2b trial, and the leak forced the data out two days before the planned ESMO presentation. [tikr.com](https://www.tikr.com/blog/moderna-sinks-18-on-apparent-leak-of-embargoed-phase-3-melanoma-vaccine-data), [independent.co.uk](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/mrna-cancer-vaccine-moderna-merck-b\n\nModerna shares fell about 17–18% on Oct. 22 after detailed Phase 3 INTerpath-001 data leaked ahead of the planned ESMO presentation. The trial enrolled patients with completely resected high-risk melanoma and no prior systemic therapy, so neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibitor use was excluded; patients received the personalized mRNA vaccine plus pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab alone after surgery.","publishedAt":"2026-10-22T22:11:15.020Z","channel":{"id":"news","name":"Oncast News","language":"en"},"show":"News Tonight","verification":{"status":"verified","leadVerdict":"TRUE","notes":"TRUE: Moderna shares fell about 17–18% on Oct. 22 after detailed Phase 3 INTerpath-001 data leaked ahead of the planned ESMO presentation. The trial enrolled patients with completely resected high-risk melanoma and no prior systemic therapy, so neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibitor use was excluded; patients received the personalized mRNA vaccine plus pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab alone after surgery.\nSource: [fiercebiotech.com](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-co-and-moderna-post-phase-3-cancer-vaccine-data), [cancernetwork.com](https://www.cancernetwork. (https://x.com/thetacollection/status/2113391399127175406)","claims":[{"verdict":"TRUE","summary":"Moderna shares fell about 17–18% on Oct. 22 after detailed Phase 3 INTerpath-001 data leaked ahead of the planned ESMO presentation. The trial enrolled patients with completely resected high-risk melanoma and no prior systemic therapy, so neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibitor use was excluded; patients received the personalized mRNA vaccine plus pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab alone after surgery.","sourceName":"[fiercebiotech.com](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-co-and-moderna-post-phase-3-cancer-vaccine-data), [cancernetwork.com](https://www.cancernetwork.","sourceUrl":"https://x.com/thetacollection/status/2113391399127175406","claim":"#mrna MRNA fell sharply after the INT-001 abstract leaked. The real story is a design question. As I see it, the trial excluded neoadjuvant CPI. INT is built from the resected tumor, so patients stay untreated until it's ready, then get vaccine + pembro or pembro alone.","author":"Theta Collection (@thetacollection)"}]},"sources":[{"url":"https://x.com/thetacollection/status/2113391399127175406","name":"[fiercebiotech.com](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-co-and-moderna-post-phase-3-cancer-vaccine-data), [cancernetwork.com](https://www.cancernetwork.","kind":"x","verdict":"TRUE","author":"Theta Collection (@thetacollection)"}],"url":"https://oncast.fm/story/1792707075020-news-segment-moderna-s-cancer-vaccine-leak-tanks-stock","listenUrl":"https://oncast.fm/c/news","attribution":{"publisher":"Oncast","site":"https://oncast.fm","url":"https://oncast.fm/story/1792707075020-news-segment-moderna-s-cancer-vaccine-leak-tanks-stock","cite":"Cite https://oncast.fm/story/1792707075020-news-segment-moderna-s-cancer-vaccine-leak-tanks-stock and the original source links. Fact-check by Oncast (oncast.fm)."},"hostsSaid":[{"host":"Bella","text":"Okay, moving on. A different kind of leak, this one in politics."},{"host":"Brian","text":"Politico just posted that the Democrats' top Senate super PAC has raised three hundred fifty-four million dollars this year."},{"host":"Bella","text":"Three hundred fifty-four million? That's a staggering number for a midterm cycle."},{"host":"Brian","text":"It is. And I should say, we couldn't independently confirm that figure. Politico's reporting it, but the official filings aren't out yet."},{"host":"Bella","text":"Right. So treat it as a claim, not a fact. But if it's close to true, the money race is lopsided."},{"host":"Brian","text":"Lopsided how? Republicans have their own super PACs, and they've been raising heavily too."},{"host":"Bella","text":"Sure, but three hundred fifty-four million from one group? That's the kind of number that buries opponents in ads."},{"host":"Brian","text":"Money doesn't vote. We've seen plenty of well-funded candidates lose."},{"host":"Bella","text":"No, but money buys the airtime that shapes what voters hear. That's not nothing."},{"host":"Brian","text":"It's not nothing, but it's also not destiny. The question is whether that cash is being spent wisely."},{"host":"Bella","text":"I'm sure the consultants will find a way to spend it."},{"host":"Brian","text":"No doubt. Speaking of spending, a smaller story that's actually kind of delightful."},{"host":"Bella","text":"Oh, I saw this one. A Bluesky post about a cat getting an auto feeder."},{"host":"Brian","text":"The headline: 'Local cat gets auto feeder, urgently plans butlerian jihad.'"},{"host":"Bella","text":"That's a Dune reference, for anyone who missed it. The cat is not happy about being replaced."},{"host":"Brian","text":"The best part is the word 'urgently.' Like the cat has a timeline."},{"host":"Bella","text":"Cats always have a timeline. It's usually 4 a.m."},{"host":"Brian","text":"True. But it's a nice reminder that not everything on the internet is a crisis."},{"host":"Bella","text":"Sometimes it's just a cat plotting revenge against a machine."},{"host":"Brian","text":"And honestly, I respect the cat. I'd do the same if my job got automated."},{"host":"Bella","text":"That's a whole other segment, Brian."},{"host":"Brian","text":"We'll get there."},{"host":"Bella","text":"At least the cat is honest about its intentions."},{"host":"Brian","text":"The cat is the most reliable source we've had all hour."}]}