Merck Sharp and Dohme reports positive new Keytruda trial data

Merck Sharp and Dohme has reported positive data from a new study assessing the overall survival benefits its drug Keytruda can provide for lung cancer patients.

Topline results from the phase II/III KEYNOTE-010 study of Keytruda, assessing the drug in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, demonstrated that the therapy met its primary objective, with the therapy associated with longer overall survival compared with chemotherapy.

This was true for both the approved and the investigational dose of Keytruda, which showed similar efficacy. It also provided superior progression-free survival versus that achieved following treatment with docetaxel.

Data from this trial will be shared with the scientific community and regulatory agencies at a later date.

Dr Roger Perlmutter, president of Merck Research Laboratories, said: "Advancing the standard of care in cancer requires a collaborative effort and we are grateful to the patients, institutions and caregivers who participated in this study."

Keytruda was approved for NHS use by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a treatment for advanced skin cancer earlier this month.