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How Moderna's melanoma mRNA vaccine could fight deadliest skin cancer

CBS News medical correspondent Dr. CΓ©line Gounder, who has had melanoma herself, said Moderna's experimental trial is "a big win for mRNA vaccines against cancer."

August 19, 2026 / 9:03 PM EDT / CBS News

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. CΓ©line 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: