Merck reports Phase II data for Keytruda in SCLC

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) reported interim data from a cohort of 107 evaluable patients with advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the Phase II KEYNOTE-158 trial showing that Keytruda pembrolizumab led to an overall response rate (ORR) of 18.7%, including a 3% complete response rate and a 16% partial response rate. Median duration of response has not yet been reached.

Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2 months, with 6- and 12-month PFS rates of 23.7% and 16.8%, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 8.7 months, with 6- and 12-month OS rates of 57.5% and 40.2%, respectively. The data were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago...