Personalized cancer vaccine and pembrolizumab for high-risk melanoma

A Phase 2 Randomized Study of Adjuvant Immunotherapy With the Personalized Cancer Vaccine mRNA-4157 and Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone After Complete Resection of High-Risk Melanoma (KEYNOTE- 942)

Phase 2 Interventional ModernaTX, Inc. · NCT03897881

This study is testing if a personalized cancer vaccine combined with pembrolizumab can help people with high-risk melanoma stay cancer-free longer after surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment267 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorModernaTX, Inc. Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab
Locations22 sites (Tucson, Arizona and 21 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03897881 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a personalized cancer vaccine, mRNA-4157, combined with pembrolizumab as postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with high-risk melanoma. Participants must have undergone complete resection of their melanoma and be disease-free at the time of enrollment. The goal is to determine if this combination improves recurrence-free survival compared to pembrolizumab alone. The study involves monitoring patients for recurrence after treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with resectable cutaneous melanoma that has metastasized to a lymph node and are at high risk of recurrence.

Not a fit: Patients with prior malignancies or those who have received systemic anti-cancer treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence in high-risk patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies using personalized cancer vaccines have shown promise, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Key Inclusion Criteria:

* Resectable cutaneous melanoma metastatic to a lymph node and at high risk of recurrence
* Complete resection within 13 weeks prior to the first dose of pembrolizumab
* Disease free at study entry (after surgery) with no loco-regional relapse or distant metastasis and no clinical evidence of brain metastases
* Has an formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor sample available suitable for sequencing
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0 or 1
* Normal organ and marrow function reported at screening

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior malignancy, unless no evidence of that disease for at least 5 years prior to study entry
* Prior systemic anti-cancer treatment (except surgery and interferon for thick primary melanomas. Radiotherapy after lymph node dissection is permitted)
* Live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of pembrolizumab
* Transfusion of blood or administration of colony stimulating factors within 2 weeks of the screening blood sample
* Active autoimmune disease
* Immunodeficiency, systemic steroid therapy, or any other immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of pembrolizumab
* Solid organ or allogeneic bone marrow transplant
* Pneumonitis or a history of (noninfectious) pneumonitis that required steroids
* Prior interstitial lung disease
* Clinically significant heart failure
* Known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
* Known active hepatitis B or C
* Active infection requiring treatment

Where this trial is running

Tucson, Arizona and 21 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions MelanomamRNA-4157Individualized Neoantigen TherapyINTPembrolizumabModerna
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.