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Keytruda Approval Opens New Routes For Immuno-Oncology

 
• By Mary Jo Laffler

Merck's PD-1 inhibitor holds the first cancer indication based on biomarkers rather than tumor location. The most significant market will be colorectal cancer, but Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo is pending for the same subgroup and Roche's Tecentriq could eventually gain a broader approval.

PCR strip test tubes and micropipette in genetics laboratory. Toned photo

The US FDA's approval of Merck's Keytruda for patients with microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient solid tumors marks a new route into difficult markets for PD-1/L1 inhibitors.

Cancer immunotherapy has yielded poor response in many cancers that are immunologically "cold" – i.e., they aren't suited to respond to immuno-oncology drugs. PD-1/L1 sponsors have been avidly researching ways to turn "cold" tumors "hot" by priming them with different therapies or combination approaches

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