WHITEHOUSE STATION (dpa-AFX) - Merck (MRK) announced the first presentation of data on the investigational use of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), the company's anti-PD-1 therapy - in PD-L1 positive, advanced urothelial cancer (bladder cancer). The company said the early findings presented showed a confirmed overall response rate of 24 percent with KEYTRUDA as monotherapy, as measured by RECIST v1.1, central review including a complete response rate of 10 percent. Adverse events were consistent with previously reported safety data for KEYTRUDA, the company said.
'Although at this stage the dataset is small, we are encouraged by the response rate, complete response rate, and the durability of the response in patients suffering from advanced bladder cancer. As communicated previously, based on these data Merck will initiate a Phase 3 study this year to better understand the potential of KEYTRUDA in advanced bladder cancer,' said Alise Reicin, vice president, oncology, Merck Research Laboratories.
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