- Results from a Phase 3 clinical trial, KEYNOTE-426, evaluating Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Keytruda (pembrolizumab), combined with Pfizer's (NYSE:PFE) Inlyta (axitinib), in first-line renal cell carcinoma (RCC) showed the combo's superiority to Pfizer's Sutent (sunitinib). The data were presented at the ASCO GU Cancer Symposium in San Francisco.
- The combination significantly improved overall survival (OS) compared to Sutent with 47% less risk of death (hazard ratio = 0.53).
- The overall response rate (ORR) was 59.3% for Keytruda + Inlyta compared to 35.7% for Sutent (p<0.0001), including a 5.8% complete response rate (versus 1.9% for Sutent). Median duration of response was 15.2 months.
- The company's U.S. marketing application seeking approval for the combo in first-line RCC is under FDA review with an action date of June 20.