Gilead's Breast Cancer Drug Shows Promise When Combined With Merck's Treatment

Gilead Sciences Inc GILD revealed early data from its open-label, Phase 2 EVOKE-02 study evaluating Trodelvy.

The study saw a combination with Merck & Co Inc's MRK Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with or without platinum agents in patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable genomic alterations. 

The results are being presented today at the IASLC 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.

The preliminary analysis of the EVOKE-02 study includes results of two cohorts: Trodelvy in combination with Keytruda in first-line advanced or metastatic squamous/non-squamous NSCLC with PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥ 50% (Cohort A) and TPS < 50% (Cohort B). 

In Cohort A (n=29), the confirmed and unconfirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 69%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 86%. 

In Cohort B (n=32), confirmed and unconfirmed ORR was 44%, and DCR was 78%. 

Across both cohorts, the ORR was 56%, and DCR was 82%. The median duration of response (DoR) was not reached at the time of data cut-off, and the DoR rate at six months was 88% in both cohorts.

"The EVOKE-02 trial is the first data presented from several Gilead studies dedicated to exploring Trodelvy's potential in lung cancer," said Bill Grossman, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. 

The safety profile of Trodelvy in combination with Keytruda in the EVOKE-02 study was consistent with the known safety of each agent. 

Gilead entered into two clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements with Merck in January 2022 to evaluate the combination of Trodelvy and Merck's Keytruda in Phase 2 EVOKE-02 signal-seeking study and the ongoing Phase 3 EVOKE-03 study in first-line NSCLC.

Price Action: GILD shares are up 1.07% at $76.81 on the last check Monday.