MSD and Eisai announce meaningful objective response rates for Keytruda+Lenvima combo in two cancer patient populations
pharmafile | May 29, 2020 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development | Lenvima, keytruda, pharma
MSD has pulled back the curtain on new data from two trials of its anti-PD-1 immunotherapy Keytruda (pemvbrolizmuab) in combination with Eisai’s Lenvima, showing that the combo demonstrated “clinically meaningful” rates of objective response in two separate patient populations.
In the first Phase 1b study of 100 unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients with no prior systemic therapy, the combo demonstrated an objective response rates (ORR) of 36%, with 1% achieving complete response and 35% achieving partial response. Median duration of response for the combo was recorded as 12.6 months.
In the second Phase 1b/2 trial of 104 metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients who had seen disease progression after receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, the combo showed an ORR of 55%; this was shown to comprise a partial response of 55%, a stable disease rate of 36%, and a progressive disease rate of 5%.
“The tumour response rates demonstrated with Keytruda plus Lenvima in these studies underscore the potential of this combination regimen in certain types of hepatocellular and renal cell carcinoma,” remarked Dr Jonathan Cheng, Vice President, Oncology Clinical Research at MSD. “Keytruda plus Lenvima is an important pillar of our broad oncology research programme, and we continue to advance the study of the combination across multiple types of cancers and stages of disease.”
Also remarking on the data was Dr Takashi Owa, Chief Medicine Creation and Chief Discovery Officer, Oncology Business Group at Eisai: “As data from our combination trials continue to read out, our enthusiasm for and belief in the potential of Keytruda plus Lenvima are strengthened by the growing body of evidence observed in multiple advanced cancers. Our ongoing clinical study efforts on this combination exemplify our commitment to following the science and exploring possible solutions for patients affected by difficult-to-treat cancers.”
Matt Fellows
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