Merck's pembrolizumab (Keytruda) has received expanded FDA approval for use in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin as a first-line treatment for adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma. This approval marks a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for this aggressive cancer.
Patritumab Deruxtecan Trial
In other news, patritumab deruxtecan, an antibody-drug conjugate being developed by Merck and Daiichi Sankyo, has shown promising results in a Phase III trial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival compared to doublet chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC. While the results are encouraging, the companies reported two deaths during the trial that were not directly attributed to the drug.
Leukemia Treatment
A novel three-drug regimen has shown an 80% response rate in a small study of patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia or high-risk acute myeloid leukemia. The findings, presented by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and published in The Lancet Haematology, suggest a potential new approach for treating these challenging hematologic malignancies.
Other Developments
Oncternal Therapeutics announced the termination of a clinical trial of the androgen receptor inhibitor ONCT-534 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and its ONCT-808 CAR T-cell program in lymphoma, and plans to explore strategic alternatives. Ultimovacs ASA announced discontinuation of enrollment in a clinical trial of a cancer vaccine for non-small cell lung cancer. Ossium Health announced a first successful stem-cell transplant for leukemia involving cryopreserved organ donor-derived bone marrow.
