New cancer vaccine delivers stunning result against one of the deadliest skin cancers

A new injectable therapy is showing positive results in reducing melanoma throughout a five-year period.

The personalized mRNA cancer therapy, called intismeran autogene, combined with the cancer immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is a collaboration between Merck and Moderna.

The results from the phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 27.

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After about a five-year follow-up, the combo drug was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone.

The researchers analyzed data from 157 patients with high-risk stage 3 and 4 melanoma whose cancer had been removed via surgery. The participants were split into two groups — one received the combo therapy and the other only received pembrolizumab, according to a press release.

The findings revealed that the combination group saw benefits that were "sustained and durable over time."

Intismeran autogene is designed using mutations identified in a patient’s own tumor, with the intention of teaching the immune system what the cancer looks like so that it can recognize and attack it.

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According to the researchers, intismeran is "well-tolerated" with a "manageable" safety profile. 

The most commonly cited side effects of the personalized mRNA vaccine plus KEYTRUDA were fatigue, injection-site pain, chills, fever and headache. The researchers reported no new long-term safety concerns and no severe vaccine-related adverse events.

The combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study — the final confirmation stage.

In a Merck press release from January, Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s senior vice president and head of development, oncology and therapeutics, noted that this data highlights the "potential of a prolonged benefit … in patients with resected high-risk melanoma."

"We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care," he said.  

Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, also commented that for many patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma, there is a "significant risk of recurrence following surgery."

"As such, demonstrating the longer-term potential of intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain patients with melanoma is a meaningful milestone," she said.

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The company cited encouraging five-year follow-up data and pointed to upcoming late-stage INTerpath trial results with Moderna in several hard-to-treat cancers.

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One extra serving of processed meat a day linked to higher cancer risk

Eating processed meat like ham, sausage and bacon may be linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer, according to new research.

While health organizations have already confirmed that processed meat can contribute to colon cancer, this study looked closer at cancers in the upper digestive tract, where the link has historically been less clear.

To understand these connections, researchers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), one of the world's largest long-term nutrition and cancer cohorts, tracked the health and diets of 450,112 people across Europe for an average of 14 years. 

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The study group included 131,426 men and 318,686 women, according to the study's press release.

During the follow-up period, 876 people developed stomach cancer and 215 people developed esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.

Researchers tracked where the stomach cancers grew, separating them into the upper part of the stomach near the throat and the lower part of the stomach.

The researchers also sorted the tumors into two categories based on how the cancer cells appeared under a microscope: intestinal, which forms more organized structures, and diffuse, in which the cells are more scattered throughout the tissue.

BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH MAY TRAVEL TO THE GUT AND TRIGGER STOMACH CANCER, RESEARCH FINDS

After adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that for every extra 30 grams of processed meat a person ate per day, their overall risk of stomach cancer went up by 9%. Eating that same extra 30 grams a day was also linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

A standard single slice of regular deli-sliced ham or lunch meat averages around 28 grams, according to USDA data and nutritional tracking databases.

An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken or turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach, the researchers noted.

The study also revealed differences between men and women. For male participants, only processed meat showed a clear, statistically significant link to a higher risk of stomach cancer. For female participants, however, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk.

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These findings align with global health benchmarks, particularly those established by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The agency has long classified processed meat as a known human carcinogen, primarily due to its strong, well-documented links to colorectal cancer.

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However, health organizations have also consistently pointed to a potential, yet less definitive, relationship between these meats and cancers of the stomach.

Further scientific investigation is needed to confirm the findings and to account for other underlying risk factors, such as certain stomach infections, which could interact with dietary habits.

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A key limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reported diets, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies in how participants recall their meat consumption over time, the researchers noted.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers requesting comment.

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Could cancer vaccines be next? New treatment cuts melanoma risk by nearly 50%

A new injectable therapy is showing positive results in reducing melanoma throughout a five-year period.

The personalized mRNA cancer therapy, called intismeran autogene, combined with the cancer immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is a collaboration between Merck and Moderna.

The results from the phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 27.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

After about a five-year follow-up, the combo drug was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone.

The researchers analyzed data from 157 patients with high-risk stage 3 and 4 melanoma whose cancer had been removed via surgery. The participants were split into two groups — one received the combo therapy and the other only received pembrolizumab, according to a press release.

The findings revealed that the combination group saw benefits that were "sustained and durable over time."

Intismeran autogene is designed using mutations identified in a patient’s own tumor, with the intention of teaching the immune system what the cancer looks like so that it can recognize and attack it.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

According to the researchers, intismeran is "well-tolerated" with a "manageable" safety profile. 

The most commonly cited side effects of the personalized mRNA vaccine plus KEYTRUDA were fatigue, injection-site pain, chills, fever and headache. The researchers reported no new long-term safety concerns and no severe vaccine-related adverse events.

The combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study — the final confirmation stage.

In a Merck press release from January, Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s senior vice president and head of development, oncology and therapeutics, noted that this data highlights the "potential of a prolonged benefit … in patients with resected high-risk melanoma."

"We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care," he said.  

Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, also commented that for many patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma, there is a "significant risk of recurrence following surgery."

"As such, demonstrating the longer-term potential of intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain patients with melanoma is a meaningful milestone," she said.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The company cited encouraging five-year follow-up data and pointed to upcoming late-stage INTerpath trial results with Moderna in several hard-to-treat cancers.

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Cancer survivors saw major improvements in sleep and well-being with one weekly practice

Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.

A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.

The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

CANCER SURVIVORS MAY SEE SURPRISING BENEFITS FROM ONE SPECIFIC EXERCISE, STUDY SAYS 

The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.

The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.

As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.

EATING MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES LINKED TO SURPRISING EFFECT ON SLEEP

Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced "moderate-to-large" reductions in overall mood disturbance, "small-to-medium" reductions in anxiety and "medium-to-large" reductions in fatigue, the study found.

The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga's beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.

"This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug," lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.

The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.

The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.

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"The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%)," noted Choi.

"We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities."

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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).

The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.

If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.

Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted. 

"Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions," the researcher advised. "They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community."

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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.

The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.

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Everyday task may help detect early dementia signs before diagnosis, study finds

A simple writing test could detect cognitive impairment in older individuals before more serious symptoms occur, scientists have discovered.

Writing is a complex, brain-heavy workout that requires the mind to process information, organize thoughts and send precise signals to the fingers all at once, according to experts.

Because writing draws on so many complex mental functions, researchers believe that small changes in how people write could provide early warning signs for cognitive impairment.

FIRST BLOOD TEST FOR ALZHEIMER’S DIAGNOSIS CLEARED BY FDA

Researchers in Portugal wanted to see if analyzing the process of writing — such as how long a person pauses or how they organize their strokes — could catch cognitive changes earlier than traditional paper-and-pencil tests, which usually only grade the final answer.

The study looked at 58 older adults between the ages of 62 and 92 living in care homes, according to a press release.

Among the participants, 38 had already been diagnosed with cognitive impairment. Each volunteer was asked to complete various writing exercises using an ink pen on a specialized digital tablet that tracked their precise hand movements.

The tests covered basic pen control, copying sentences from a flashcard, and writing sentences that others spoke aloud, the researchers said.

DEMENTIA RISK FOR PEOPLE 55 AND OLDER HAS DOUBLED, NEW STUDY FINDS

Simple tasks, like drawing lines or copying text, did not reveal major differences between the two groups. Because these activities rely mostly on basic motor skills, the team hypothesized that they weren't mentally challenging enough to expose subtle cognitive issues.

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When writing from dictation, older adults with cognitive impairment had writing patterns that were noticeably slower, more fragmented and less coordinated.

"Dictation tasks are more sensitive because they require the brain to do multiple things at once: listen, process language, convert sounds into written form and coordinate movement," Dr. Ana Rita Matias, the study's senior author from the University of Évora, stated in the press release.

As a sentence became more complex, the brain struggled to keep up. Adults with cognitive decline took longer to start writing, paused more frequently and struggled with stroke organization, the study found.

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Currently, diagnosing cognitive decline often involves expensive brain scans or lengthy psychological testing.

"The long-term goal is to develop a tool that is easy to administer, time-efficient and affordable, allowing integration into everyday healthcare contexts without requiring specialized or expensive equipment," Matias said.

The study did have some limitations, including that it was relatively small. As it was limited to 58 older adults living in care homes, larger and more diverse groups need to be tested to confirm the findings, the researchers noted.

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The study also did not account for the participants' use of medications, which could potentially impact both handwriting and brain function.

The study was published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

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Veterans face surprising threat after cancer diagnosis, study reveals

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Veterans with cancer face a higher risk of suicide attempts, according to new research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

The risk is especially prevalent in the months following diagnosis and can persist for years, states the study, which was published in JAMA Oncology.

The researchers analyzed Veterans Health Administration data from more than 292,000 veterans with cancer from 2014 to 2023.

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The data was measured against the rate of suicidal self-directed violence (SSDV), including both fatal and nonfatal suicide attempts, the study stated.

Veterans with cancer experienced suicide attempts at a rate of 203 per 100,000, which the researchers noted is "significantly higher than the general population."

The study also found that overwhelming distress tied to disease diagnosis, treatment and long-term effects puts patients at risk "well into survivorship," or long after active treatment is over.

The risk was highest in the first six months after diagnosis, but persisted for up to five years.

VETERANS' PTSD SYMPTOMS COULD IMPROVE WITH HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY, STUDY SHOWS

Those with higher SSDV rates included veterans with severe frailty, chronic mental illness, advanced cancer and high pain scores.

High rates of nonfatal attempts were recorded most in veterans under the age of 45, females, and veterans with central nervous system cancer or thyroid cancer.

Prescription medications were the most common method used in nonfatal suicide attempts, including opioids, while firearms were most common in fatal attempts.

As the study was observational, the results show an association but don't prove that cancer directly caused the suicidal behavior.

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Lead study author Donald R. Sullivan, MD, associate professor of medicine at the OHSU School of Medicine, commented that this is a "concerning public health crisis that disproportionately affects America's servicemen and servicewomen."

"We hope to raise awareness and inform the development of approaches to better support veterans and mitigate the impact of a cancer diagnosis on their well-being," he said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

In a press release statement, Sullivan added that a cancer diagnosis is often a "profound shock."

"Even cancers with good survival rates can trigger an immediate fear of death," he said. "That initial moment, combined with pain, treatment side effects, anxiety or depression, can be incredibly destabilizing."

Jim Whaley, CEO of Mission Roll Call — a nonprofit veteran advocacy group — reflected on these findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"The study shows that more investigation and action is needed to medicate the higher percentage of veterans diagnosed with cancer committing suicide," said Whaley, who was not involved in the study.

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"Understanding the chain of events and upstream factors is vital, as is sharing the study results and recommendations with veteran support organizations involved in these efforts on the ground in communities across the nation."

Whaley also stressed the importance of recognizing that health encompasses both mental and physical well-being, especially for military service members.

"Just as we trained in physical fitness daily, we must exercise our mental health in the same manner," he said. "Veterans sometimes need the tools to do that."

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While veterans are "great" at helping other veterans, Whaley suggested that they’re "not so good at asking for help." It's imperative that loved ones and people within the veteran community watch for warning signs of mental health decline, he added.

The number of veteran suicides is 425% higher than the number of combat deaths since 9/11, he noted.

"Despite good intentions, the decline in the number of suicides is not dropping enough to end this scourge," Whaley said. "We need to combine efforts in research, outreach and care ... It is a national crisis that needs a national-level task force."

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