In a phase 3 trial, the popular medicine Keytruda from Merck (NYSE:MRK) failed to achieve the primary outcomes of overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) in some patients with prostate cancer.
Merck (NYSE:MRK) also suffered two other recent setbacks. First, in a phase 3 trial of Keytruda that concerned cancer of the neck and head. Secondly, in a trial of Lynparza that concerned colorectal cancer.
In the present study, known as KEYNOTE-921, patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer were treated with Keytruda in conjunction with chemotherapy (docetaxel) rather than chemotherapy alone (mCRPC).
When comparing patients receiving Keytruda and chemotherapy to those receiving only chemotherapy, Merck reported modest trends toward improvements in OS and rPFS (the amount of time a patient can expect to live with the disease without it getting worse). However, these results did not reach statistical significance according to the pre-established statistical plan.
According to a news release from Merck (NYSE:MRK) on August 3, the safety profile of Keytruda in the trial was comparable to that seen in previously published trials.
Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development, and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said his company will continue to investigate Keytruda through its clinical development program.
Orion’s investigational candidate ODM-208, which is presently being assessed in a phase 2 trial to treat patients with mCRPC, is being investigated for use by Merck (MRK), which mentioned that last month it inked an agreement for it.
In early trading on August 3, Merck (NYSE:MRK) fell by 0.32 percent to $87.33.
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