Merck reports ORR data for lambrolizumab in melanoma
Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) presented data at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago showing that lambrolizumab ( MK-3475) led to an objective response rate (ORR) of 38% in 117 evaluable patients with advanced melanoma in a Phase Ib trial to treat progressive locally advanced or metastatic carcinoma, melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The median duration of response has not been reached at a median follow-up of 11 months. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for all 135 melanoma patients treated with lambrolizumab in the trial was more than seven months.
Based on the data, which were also published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Merck said it plans to start a Phase III trial of lambrolizumab in ipilimumab-naïve patients with advanced melanoma and a Phase II/III trial in NSCLC in 3Q13. The humanized IgG4 mAb against programmed cell death 1 ( PDCD1; PD-1; CD279) is in Phase II testing to treat advanced melanoma and has breakthrough therapy designation for the indication. ...