New Keytruda data show responses in diverse tumor types

Abstracts released ahead of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting featured the first data from several studies of Keytruda pembrolizumab from Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), including the first data from Keytruda in combination with Yervoy ipilimumab from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Among 11 patients with advanced NSCLC treated for at least six weeks with Keytruda plus Yervoy as third-line therapy, one (9%) had a complete response, five (45%) had partial responses, and all achieved disease control. Among 15 patients who received the combination, 10 had treatment-related adverse events (AEs), including two cases of grade 3 rash. None discontinued treatment. Merck reported no dose-limiting toxicities with either 2 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg doses of Keytruda. ...