Merck reports Phase II data for Keytruda as first-line RCC therapy

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) reported interim data from 110 evaluable patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the Phase II KEYNOTE-427 trial showing that first-line treatment with Keytruda pembrolizumab led to an overall response rate (ORR) of 38.2%, including a 2.7% complete response rate and a 35.5% partial response rate. Additionally, 67.2% of patients had a reduction in tumor burden. Median time to response was 2.8 months and median duration of response has not yet been reached.

Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.7 months, with a 6-month PFS rate of 60.2%. Median overall survival (OS) has not yet been reached, and the 6-month OS rate was 92.7%. Data were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago...