Merck Hits IO Bullseye With Keytruda Combo In First-line Lung Cancer

17 Jan 2018

• By Emily Hayes

Success of Keytruda/chemo combo in KEYNOTE-189 first-line metastatic lung cancer study restores Merck's leadership in immuno-oncology and may drive more use, though doctors are still looking to see more data, especially for PD-L1 subgroups.

Dart arrow hitting in the target center of dartboard using as background Target business, achieve and victory,success concept.

Merck & Co. Inc.'s victory with its PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda showing an overall survival benefit in the KEYNOTE-189 first-line metastatic non-small cell lung cancer study shows once again that the company has a knack for getting it right in the most important immuno-oncology indications.

The KEYNOTE-189 study tested Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with Eli Lilly & Co.'s Alimta (pemetrexed) and cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy versus...