- Merck & Co Inc MRK announced results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859 study of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with fluoropyrimidine and platinum-based chemotherapy for gastric cancer.
- The study includes treating patients for first-line human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).
- Related: Merck’s Keytruda Plus Chemo Combo Beats Late-Stage Trial in Patients With Advanced Endometrial Cancer.
- After a median follow-up of 31.0 months (range 15.3-46.3 months), Keytruda/chemo combination significantly improved overall survival (OS) and reduced the risk of death by 22% compared to chemotherapy alone for these patients, regardless of PD-L1 expression.
- The median OS was 12.9 months for Keytruda/chemo combination versus 11.5 months for chemotherapy alone.
- The Keytruda/chemo combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 24% with a median PFS of 6.9 months compared to 5.6 months with chemotherapy alone.
- The objective response rate was 51.3% with a complete response rate (CR) of 9.5% and a partial response rate (PR) of 41.8% for the Keytruda/chemo combination and 42.0% with a CR rate of 6.2% and a PR rate of 35.7% for those who only received chemotherapy.
- Price promotion: MRK shares are down 0.44% on the latest check Thursday to $107.21.
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