# BioNTech and Genentech Personalized Cancer Vaccine Shows Worse Survival in Terminated Phase 2 Trial

A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine developed by BioNTech and Genentech has failed in a phase 2 clinical trial, recording more deaths among patients who received the shot compared to the control group. The trial has been terminated.

The result stands in contrast to a recent phase 3 success from Merck and Moderna, whose similar personalized mRNA cancer vaccine paired with the immunotherapy Keytruda showed positive outcomes. The BioNTech-Genentech candidate was also being tested as a standalone therapy, without a checkpoint inhibitor partner.

The failure underscores the difficulty of making personalized mRNA cancer vaccines work as monotherapies. While the approach has generated significant interest across the biotech industry, this trial result highlights the challenges in achieving patient survival benefits without combination strategies.

In the broader life sciences context, personalized cancer vaccines represent a frontier in immunotherapy. These vaccines are designed to train a patient's immune system to target unique mutations in their tumor. The Merck-Moderna success suggested the field was advancing, but the BioNTech-Genentech setback shows that not all candidates in this class perform equally. The outcome may influence how other companies design future trials, particularly regarding whether to test these vaccines alone or in combination with other drugs.

Source: [original report](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/biontech-genentech-personalized-cancer-vaccine-posts-worse-patient-survival-terminated-ph-2)