MSD discontinues two Keytruda trials

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) belongs to the PD1 inhibitor category and has been approved for a number of cancer indications. The drug has been a significant cash cow for MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme), which reported sales of the drug totalling USD 25 billion last year.

Recently, the company has been trying to test the immunotherapy in combination with other treatments to expand its use for different cancer types, especially as the company faces a loss of patent protection at the end of the decade and seeks to protect its position in oncology.

However, development efforts have been hit by setbacks. Several of the studies were reported as failures earlier this year, and now Reuters reports that MSD has cancelled two more separate late-stage clinical trials.

In one case, the drug was being tested as a treatment for patients with squamous cell carcinoma, but the study was cancelled as it was deemed likely to fail.

In the other discontinued study, Keytruda was tested in combination with a type of radiotherapy for patients with stage 1 or 2 non-small cell lung cancer, but it did not achieve the desired results.

"Unmet needs remain across different types of cancer and stages of disease. That is why we continue our rigorous exploration of innovative treatment approaches in cancers with high unmet need," said Marjorie Green, head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, in a press release.