NICE recommends Keytruda combo in first-line NSCLC

U.K.’s NICE recommended in draft guidance anti-PD-1 mAb Keytruda pembrolizumab from Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) for use in combination with chemotherapy through the Cancer Drug Fund for untreated, metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Consistent with Keytruda's EU label, patients are eligible for the combination under the CDF if they lack EGFR or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations.

NICE said that while the combination will require further evidence to be considered for routine NHS use, it has the potential to be cost effective and is likely to extend life, making it eligible for use on the CDF. Merck will continue to collect data on the combination under a managed access agreement, which NICE will review in June 2019...