Keytruda (pembrolizumab) was given an accelerated approval in 2018 as a second-line therapy for PD-L1-positive cervical cancer, but the new survival data – from the phase 3 KEYNOTE-826 trial – could extend the use of the drug.
KEYNOTE-826 enrolled 600 patients with both PD-L1-positive and PD-L1-negative tumours who were treated with a regimen of Keytruda and chemotherapy, given either with or without Roche’s Avastin (bevacizumab).
The Keytruda combination improved both overall survival and progression-free survival – the time it took for patients’ cancer to progress – which according to Merck is a first for any immuno-oncology drug. The company hasn’t disclosed the data yet, but says it will do so at a future medical meeting.
