Can Amgen Balance Efficacy, Safety With KRAS/PD-1 Combination?

Amgen, Inc. is exploring the combination of a lower dose of its KRAS G12C inhibitor Lumakras (sotorasib) with Merck & Co., Inc.’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in first-line non-small cell lung cancer after data from a Phase I safety study showed high levels of liver toxicity for the two-drug combination. The question is whether the combination will ultimately show an acceptable safety-efficacy profile, or whether it might open the door for competitor Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.’s KRAS G12C inhibitor adagrasib.