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Keytruda Plus Chemotherapy Shows Positive Results for Rare Form of Esophageal Cancer

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Andrew R. Michaud

• October 20, 2023

Merck & Co. announced on Friday that a late-stage trial of its widely recognized cancer drug Keytruda, when combined with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, has yielded positive results in the treatment of patients with a rare type of esophageal cancer. Specifically, the Phase 3 trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. The risk of death was reduced by 28% during the 28.4-month follow-up period.

A Beacon of Hope for Gastroesophageal Cancer Patients

According to Dr. Yelena Y. Janjigian, Chief Attending Physician in Gastrointestinal Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the global Principal Investigator for the KEYNOTE-811 trial, the majority of patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal cancer face dire outcomes due to the advanced stage at which they are typically detected. However, based on these groundbreaking trial results, there is newfound hope for improved treatment options.

Accelerated Approval Paves the Way

Keytruda initially received regulatory approval in May 2021 under an accelerated approval status, subject to the completion of confirmatory trials. This recent success further solidifies the drug's position as an effective option for patients battling esophageal cancer.

Stock Performance

Merck's stock performance has experienced a decline of 9.5% year-to-date, while the broader S&P 500 index has shown an impressive gain of 11.4%.