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Keytruda's Third-Line Gastric Cancer Indication Should Go, US FDA Panel Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

Citing changing therapeutic landscape and doubts about utility of checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy in this setting, advisory committee votes 6-2 against maintaining PD-1 inhibitor’s accelerated approval for third-line treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Sun and clouds
The gastric cancer treatment landscape has brightened, putting a cloud over Keytruda’s accelerated approval for third-line use. • Source: Alamy

A US Food and Drug Administration advisory committee recommended withdrawing accelerated approval of Merck & Co., Inc.’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in third-line gastrointestinal cancer, citing the changing treatment landscape resulting from a recent front-line immunotherapy approval and doubts about the utility of checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy in this cancer.

In favoring withdrawal, members of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee said the recent approval of Bristol Myers Squibb Company’s PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with chemotherapy for first-line gastric cancer has changed the therapeutic

In addition, panelists cited the failure of Merck’s two confirmatory trials with pembrolizumab monotherapy in first- and second-line gastric cancer

More from US FDA Performance Tracker

Keep Talking: US FDA’s Beleaguered Biologics Center Remains Vital To Regenerative Medicine

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Advisory committee for Capricor’s deriamocel planned, regenerative medicine advanced therapy designations proliferate for osteoarthritis, and the ranks of dual RMAT/breakthrough therapy designation holders grow.

Maybe In May: US FDA Calls Coming On Moderna Next-Gen COVID-19 Vaccine, AbbVie’s Big ADC Bet

 
• By Bridget Silverman

The 31 May goal date for Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine looms over the month, but the US FDA's decision lineup includes three more novel agents, including AbbVie's Teliso-V antibody-drug conjugate, as well as supplemental indications like GSK's bid for Nucala in COPD.

AMR-Targeting Drug Secures EMA PRIME Designation

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Antabio’s next-generation, broad-spectrum antibacterial, MEM-ANT3310, has made it onto the European Medicines Agency’s priority medicines scheme. The company says its product is designed to make a significant impact on the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

US FDA’s Review Performance Held Steady Despite Stormy First Quarter

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Organizational turmoil has not yet affected reviews of novel agent applications, with Q1 2025 approvals coming in low, but the first quarter share of the entire year is variable.

More from Regulatory Trackers

AMR-Targeting Drug Secures EMA PRIME Designation

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Antabio’s next-generation, broad-spectrum antibacterial, MEM-ANT3310, has made it onto the European Medicines Agency’s priority medicines scheme. The company says its product is designed to make a significant impact on the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Global Pharma Guidance Tracker - March 2025

 
• By Vibha Sharma and Anabel Costa-Ferreira

Stay up to date on regulatory guidelines from around the world with the Pink Sheet’s Guidance Tracker. The complete Global Pharma Guidance Tracker, with sortable and searchable listings going back to 2014, is available online.

US FDA’s Review Performance Held Steady Despite Stormy First Quarter

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Organizational turmoil has not yet affected reviews of novel agent applications, with Q1 2025 approvals coming in low, but the first quarter share of the entire year is variable.