Merck is set to present new data on its hematology pipeline at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in San Diego from December 7-10. The presentations will feature investigational medicines across various hematologic malignancies, including updates on zilovertamab vedotin, nemtabrutinib, and bomedemstat, alongside new data for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab).
Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories, stated, "The innovative research that will be presented at this year’s ASH highlights our robust clinical development program and our commitment to exploring novel modalities and therapeutic targets, as we work to improve outcomes and address unmet needs for people with hematologic neoplasms and malignancies."
Zilovertamab Vedotin Data
Zilovertamab vedotin (MK-2140) is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1). Key presentations include:
- First presentation of results from the Phase 2 waveLINE-007 dose escalation study evaluating the safety and efficacy of zilovertamab vedotin in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone plus rituximab in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with no prior treatment (Abstract #578).
- First-time results from the Phase 2 waveLINE-006 cohort C study evaluating zilovertamab vedotin in combination with nemtabrutinib for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (Abstract #3025).
- Updated results from the Phase 2 waveLINE-004 study of zilovertamab vedotin in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. (Abstract #1738)
Nemtabrutinib Data
Nemtabrutinib (MK-1026) is an investigational, non-covalent Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. Data presentations will include:
- First-time Phase 2 data presentation from the BELLWAVE-003 study evaluating nemtabrutinib in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (Abstract #1634).
- Nemtabrutinib, a noncovalent reversible BTK inhibitor in relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma: results from the Phase 2 BELLWAVE-003 study (Abstract #3016).
KEYTRUDA Updates
New and updated results for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, will also be presented:
- Updated results from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-667 study evaluating KEYTRUDA in children, adolescents and young adults with low-risk classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and slow early response to front-line chemotherapy (Abstract #462).
- Pembrolizumab in children, adolescents, and young adults with high-risk classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) with slow early response to front-line chemotherapy: updated results from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-667 study (Abstract #3055).
- Efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab every six weeks in relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma: KEYNOTE-B68 update (Abstract #3046).
Bomedemstat Development
Bomedemstat (MK-3543) is an investigational orally available lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibitor. Two Phase 3 studies are currently underway, including one evaluating bomedemstat compared to best available therapy as treatment in patients with essential thrombocythemia who have an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea (Shorespan-006, NCT06079879) and a study evaluating bomedemstat compared to the current standard of care chemotherapy, hydroxyurea, for treatment of patients with essential thrombocythemia who have previously not received cytoreductive therapy (Shorespan-007, NCT06456346).
Merck's presentations at ASH 2024 will provide valuable insights into the potential of these investigational therapies to address unmet needs in hematologic malignancies.
