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KEYTRUDA ® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy followed by maintenance with LYNPARZA ® (olaparib), with or without bevacizumab, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared to chemotherapy alone
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The study did not reach its secondary endpoint of overall survival
December 9, 2024 6:45 am ET--RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the Phase 3 KEYLYNK-001 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA ® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy followed by maintenance with LYNPARZA ® (olaparib), with or without bevacizumab, as a first-line treatment for people with BRCA non-mutated advanced epithelial ovarian cancer met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). At the final analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, the KEYTRUDA plus LYNPARZA regimen demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS for these patients compared to chemotherapy alone.
The study did not reach its secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS). The role of KEYTRUDA in the intention-to-treat population remains uncertain at this time. The safety profiles of KEYTRUDA and LYNPARZA were consistent with those observed in previously reported studies for the individual therapies. These results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and discussed with regulatory authorities.
“For people living with ovarian cancer, there remains an unmet need for new treatment options that have the potential to improve outcomes,” said Dr. Gursel Aktan, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “KEYLYNK-001 is the first positive Phase 3 trial for KEYTRUDA plus LYNPARZA, highlighting our commitment to research that may help address the global impact of women’s cancers.”
In the U.S., LYNPARZA has three approved indications in ovarian cancer: for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA -mutated (g BRCA m or s BRCA m) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy; in combination with bevacizumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive status defined by either a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, and/or genomic instability; and for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious g BRCA m or s BRCA m recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. For each of these indications, patients are selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
KEYTRUDA is not approved to treat ovarian cancer. See selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. below.
About KEYLYNK-001
KEYLYNK-001 is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03740165 ) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) followed by KEYTRUDA with maintenance LYNPARZA, with or without bevacizumab, for the first-line treatment of BRCA non-mutated advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. The primary endpoints are PFS in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥10) and PFS in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary endpoints include OS and safety. The trial enrolled 1,367 patients who were randomized to receive:
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KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV]) plus chemotherapy every three weeks (Q3W) for five cycles, followed by KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV Q3W for up to approximately two years) and LYNPARZA (300 mg orally twice daily);
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KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV) plus chemotherapy Q3W for five cycles, followed by KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV Q3W for up to approximately two years) and placebo (orally twice daily);
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Chemotherapy plus placebo.
Patients who experience severe hypersensitivity reaction or an adverse event requiring discontinuation of paclitaxel may receive docetaxel plus carboplatin. Participants may also receive bevacizumab at the investigator’s discretion.
About ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer often begins in the fallopian tubes or on the outer surface of the ovaries. It is the second most common gynecologic malignancy and seventh most common cancer in women worldwide. Globally, there were approximately 324,603 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 206,956 deaths from the disease in 2022. In the U.S., it is estimated there will be approximately 19,680 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 12,740 deaths from the disease in 2024. The primary aim of first-line treatment is to delay disease progression for as long as possible with the intent to achieve long-term remission.
About Merck’s research in women’s cancers
Merck is advancing research aimed at expanding treatment options for certain breast and gynecologic (ovarian, cervical and endometrial) cancers, with a goal of improving outcomes for more patients affected by these diseases. Breast cancer and gynecological cancers are the first and second most commonly occurring cancer types among women worldwide, respectively, and Merck aims to give patients facing these devastating diseases options. With more than 20 clinical trials in more than 18,000 patients around the world, Merck is driving innovative research to purposefully advance standards of care in women’s cancers. Merck’s research efforts include trials focused on evaluating its medicines in earlier stages, as well as identifying novel mechanisms and new combinations with these treatments. Merck is working to develop a portfolio and pipeline to address the impact of women’s cancers on patients, their families and communities globally.
About KEYTRUDA ® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
About LYNPARZA ® (olaparib)
LYNPARZA is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR.
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad clinical trial development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types. Independently, Merck is developing LYNPARZA in combination with its anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Every day, we follow the science as we work to discover innovations that can help patients, no matter what stage of cancer they have. As a leading oncology company, we are pursuing research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge, underpinned by our diverse pipeline of more than 25 novel mechanisms. With one of the largest clinical development programs across more than 30 tumor types, we strive to advance breakthrough science that will shape the future of oncology. By addressing barriers to clinical trial participation, screening and treatment, we work with urgency to reduce disparities and help ensure patients have access to high-quality cancer care. Our unwavering commitment is what will bring us closer to our goal of bringing life to more patients with cancer.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities.