Despite showing promise in phase 2 trials, new results from a randomized phase 3 [ immunotherapy in mesothelioma ] trial are disappointing in a tumor type that remains a major killer. In patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) who had progressed after first-line chemotherapy, immunotherapy with pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) appears … [Read more...]
Keytruda Survival Benefits Similar to Chemo for Relapsed Mesothelioma, Phase 3 Trial Finds
Treatment with the immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) appears to be as effective as conventional chemotherapy for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma patients who relapse after one course of platinum-based chemotherapy, data from a Phase 3 trial show. Although more of these advanced cancer patients responded to Keytruda than to … [Read more...]
Immunotherapy Making Headway in SCLC and Mesothelioma
Immune-based therapies continue to show promising signals for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and mesothelioma, but better predictive biomarkers are needed to determine who is most likely to benefit, according to Justin F. Gainor, MD. The rationale for immunotherapy in SCLC is growing because it is a very molecularly complex disease, … [Read more...]
Clinical Safety and Activity of Pembrolizumab in Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
BACKGROUND Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer with poor prognosis and few treatment options following progression on platinum-containing chemotherapy. We assessed the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab (an anti-programmed cell death receptor 1 [PD-1] antibody) in advanced solid tumours expressing programmed cell death … [Read more...]