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FDA Approves Pembrolizumab for Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer with PD-L1 Expression

Drug Approval
  • The FDA approved pembrolizumab for patients with recurrent, locally advanced, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 with a combined positive score of 10 or higher.
  • Clinical trials KEYNOTE-181 and KEYNOTE-180 demonstrated significant survival benefits, with median overall survival of 10.3 months versus 6.7 months for control treatment.
  • The approval includes a companion diagnostic test to identify eligible patients based on PD-L1 expression levels using the PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx kit.
  • The recommended dosing regimen is pembrolizumab 200 mg administered intravenously every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Investigator's Choice Standard Therapy for Participants With Advanced Esophageal/ Esophagogastric Junction Carcinoma That Progressed After First-Line Therapy (MK-3475-181/KEYNOTE-181)

NCT02564263CompletedPhase 3
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Posted 12/1/2015

Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Previously-Treated Participants With Advanced Carcinoma of the Esophagus or Esophagogastric Junction (MK-3475-180/KEYNOTE-180)

NCT02559687CompletedPhase 2
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Posted 12/2/2015

Regional Chemotherapy for Liver Metastases of Colorectal Cancer Shows Varied Perfusion Patterns

A study involving 82 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer treated with continuous chemotherapy via hepatic artery infusion pumps revealed varied liver perfusion patterns. While 70% of patients showed homogeneous liver perfusion, 24% had distinct inhomogeneities, and 6% exhibited selective perfusion of one hepatic lobe, impacting the response to therapy.

D3Bio's Novel KRAS-G12C Inhibitor Shows Promising Results in Phase 1 Cancer Trial

OncologyPrecision MedicineTargeted Therapy
  • A multinational study led by Chinese University researchers found that D3S-001, a mainland-developed KRAS-G12C inhibitor, demonstrated significant efficacy with over 70% of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage or disappearance.
  • The novel compound from D3Bio inhibits KRAS-G12C mutations at a faster rate and potentially longer duration than existing treatments, according to Dr. Herbert Loong from CUHK's Department of Clinical Oncology.
  • Researchers are planning phase 3 trials with the goal of positioning D3S-001 as a first-line treatment option for patients with KRAS-G12C-driven cancers of the lung, pancreas, and colon.

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