Keytruda met the primary endpoint in the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859 trial in patients with HER2-negative gastric cancer.
Merck announced that Keytruda (pembrolizumab) met the primary endpoint in patients with gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Keytruda plus chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with PD-L1 expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma.
In Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859, Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy, showed significant improvement in overall survival versus chemotherapy alone at pre-specified interim analysis. The trial enrolled 1,579 patients, and 200 mg of Keytruda was administered every three weeks for two years.
Gastric cancer grows slowly and does not cause early symptoms, because of which cancer is detected in advanced stages. Nearly 70% of gastric cancers are detected in advanced stages.