1. Scrip
  2. >>R&D
  3. >>Clinical Trials

Merck’s Keytruda Works With Lenvima In Renal Cancer, But Not With Yervoy In Lung Cancer

 
• By Joseph Haas

Merck’s PD-1 inhibitor combined with Lenvima offered benefit in RCC, but use with Bristol’s Yervoy in metastatic NSCLC showed no benefit compared to Keytruda monotherapy.

White and black mask on the stairs
Back-to-back Keytruda combo data releases gave Merck & Co. good news and bad

Although Merck & Co., Inc.’s Keytruda is being investigated in a multitude of combination trials – the company cites more than 200 studies in lung cancer alone – it’s still somewhat surprising when the market-leading anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor produces a negative dataset. In a 24-hour period, the New Jersey pharma got both positive combo data in first-line renal cell carcinoma as well as a failed pairing in PD-L1-positive lung cancer.

After the markets closed on 9 November, Merck & Co. revealed that the KEYNOTE-598 study testing Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with Bristol Myers Squibb Company’s CTLA-4 inhibitor Yervoy (ipilimumab) in metastatic...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Clinical Trials

Summit’s Ivonescimab Shows Significance On PFS, But Not Overall Survival

 
• By Joseph Haas

In a study intended to show similar benefit in western patients, PD-1/VEGF-targeting ivonescimab met a progression-free survival endpoint, but missed on OS.

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By Kevin Grogan

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

In Brief: Neurocrine Details New Data For Schizophrenia Drug Moving To Phase III

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Neurocrine reports new details of positive Phase II results in schizophrenia and a favorable safety and cardiovascular profile for its first-in-class oral M4 agonist, now moving to Phase III trials.

Merck & Co./Daiichi Pull Patritumab Deruxtecan BLA On Disappointing OS

 
• By Jessica Merrill

Patritumab deruxtecan is the lead antibody drug conjugate in a $22bn deal signed between the two partners, with the decision marking a disappointing setback

More from R&D

Senti’s Computer-Logic Inspired Cell Therapy Shows Early Promise

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

The biotech believes its logic-gated cell therapies can get round the need for ‘clean targets’ which limit CAR-Ts and ADCs.

In Brief: Nicox Extends Cash Runway As Kowa Advances NCX 470 In Japan

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Eye drug is already in Phase III trials elsewhere, with results due in Q3. Nicox could earn up to a further €24.5m in milestones and royalties from Kowa alliance.

GSK’s Bet On Spero’s Oral cUTI Antibiotic Poised To Pay Off With New Phase III Data

 
• By Joseph Haas

Spero and partner GSK have Phase III non-inferiority data to support approval of tebipenem as the first oral antibiotic for complicated urinary tract infections.