Newly Diagnosed Cervical Cancer Patients - Merck's Blockbuster Drug Keytruda Plus Chemoradiotherapy Improves Overall Survival

Zinger Key Points
  • In the U.S., Merck's Keytruda has two additional approved indications for cervical cancer.
  • Keytruda plus CRT is the first immunotherapy-based regimen to show a statistically significant improvement in OS vs. chemoradiotherapy alone

Friday, Merck & Co Inc MRK announced that the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18 trial, also known as ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047, of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) met its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) for newly diagnosed patients with high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer.

At a pre-specified interim analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, Keytruda, combined with concurrent CRT, showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS versus concurrent CRT alone. 

The U.S. pharma giant says Keytruda plus CRT is the first immunotherapy-based regimen to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in OS in these patients.

Also Read: Merck’s Multi-Billion Cancer Drug Keytruda Improves Disease-Free Survival In Advanced Bladder Cancer After Surgery, Data Shows.

The safety profile of Keytruda in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. 

In the U.S., Keytruda has two additional approved indications for cervical cancer.

In July 2023, Merck said the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18 trial investigating Keytruda in combination with external beam radiotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy, followed by brachytherapy (also known as concurrent chemoradiotherapy), met one of its primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) for newly diagnosed patients with high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer. 

Keytruda, in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone.

Read Next: Medicare’s Ambitious Drug Price Negotiation Plan: President Joe Biden Calls To Expand Targeted Medicines To 50 Annually by 2029.

Price Action: MRK shares are up 0.61% at $121.23 on the last check Friday.

Photo via Company

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Comments
Loading...
Posted In: BiotechLarge CapNewsHealth CareGeneralBriefsStories That Matter
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing

Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.

Join Now: Free!