Merck's Keytuda+Chemo Combo Improves Overall Survival In Patients With Advanced Mesothelioma

Merck & Co Inc MRK announced that the Phase 2/3 CCTG IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial of Keytruda plus chemotherapy combo met its primary endpoint in unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma.
IND.227 was sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) in collaboration with investigators in Italy and France.
Related: After Shelving Two Keytruda Trials, Merck Touts Encouraging Data From Keytruda Regime Study In Lung Cancer Patients.
In the final analysis of the study, Keytruda plus chemotherapy showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone.
The safety profile of Keytruda in combination with chemotherapy in this study was consistent with previously reported studies.
"Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rapidly progressing cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and has a poor prognosis," said Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development, and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories.
"There have been few treatment advances for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, which can be challenging to treat through surgery and radiation alone," said Quincy Chu, CCTG's study chair of the IND.227 trial/KEYNOTE-483 trial.
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