Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) announced encouraging early results from the ongoing phase Ib KEYNOTE-013 study on its anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
Results revealed that patients suffering from relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin Lymphoma treated with Keytruda achieved an overall response rate of 66%. These patients either failed or were ineligible to respond to transplant and disease progressed on or after treatment with Seattle Genetics Inc.’s (SGEN) Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin). Results further revealed that 21% patients in the study achieved complete response.
The study is evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of Keytruda as a monotherapy in patients suffering from blood cancer like myelodysplastic syndromes, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, mediastinal large B cell lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Merck plans to start a phase II study on Keytruda in the classical Hodgkin Lymphoma indication in the first half of 2015.
We remind investors that Keytruda was the first anti-PD-1 therapy to gain approval in the U.S. earlier in the year. The drug was approved in the U.S. at a dose of 2 mg/kg every three weeks for the treatment of patients suffering from unresectable or metastatic melanoma and whose disease progressed after treatment with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company’s (BMY) Yervoy and a BRAF inhibitor, if BRAF V600 mutation is positive.
Moreover, the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to Keytruda for the treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-negative and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement-negative non-small cell lung cancer, whose disease has progressed on or following platinum-based chemotherapy.
Merck is evaluating Keytruda for different cancer types including bladder, colorectal and gastric among others. We are encouraged by the company’s progress with its pipeline so far.
Merck currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Buy). A better-ranked stock in the health care sector includes Allergan Inc. (AGN) carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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