First-line NSCLC data reported ahead of ASCO

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) each reported Phase III data for their first-line non-small cell lung cancer programs in abstracts released ahead of the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.

Merck’s interim analysis of the first 204 patients in the Phase III KEYNOTE-407 trial to treat metastatic squamous NSCLC showed that its PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda pembrolizumab plus carboplatin/paclitaxel or Abraxane nab-paclitaxel led to an overall response rate (ORR) of 58.4% vs. 35% for carboplatin/paclitaxel or Abraxane alone at a median follow-up of 7.7 months (p=0.0004). Merck previously reported that the trial met the secondary ORR endpoint, but had not disclosed detailed data...