Merck’s Phase 3 KEYNOTE-C93 Trial Meets Primary Endpoint Of Progression-Free Survival, Reducing Risk Of Progression Or Death By 43% With KEYTRUDA Monotherapy vs. Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy In dMMR Advanced Or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

Key takeaways

• KEYTRUDA alone cuts progression risk by 43% and more than quadruples median PFS versus chemotherapy in dMMR endometrial cancer.
• Median PFS 38.2 months (KEYTRUDA) vs 8.4 months (chemo)
• Hazard ratio for progression or death 0.57 (95% CI 0.42‑0.79)
• 36‑month PFS rate 52.8% (KEYTRUDA) vs 30.0% (chemo)

What happened

Merck’s KEYNOTE‑C93 Phase 3 trial showed that KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) as a single drug cut the risk of cancer progression or death by 43% compared with standard platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with mismatch‑repair‑deficient advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The median progression‑free survival was 38.2 months for KEYTRUDA versus 8.4 months for chemotherapy, a more than four‑fold improvement. The 36‑month PFS rates were 52.8% for KEYTRUDA and 30.0% for chemotherapy. Overall…

Why it matters

The results give the first statistically significant evidence that a PD‑1 inhibitor alone can dramatically extend the time patients live without disease worsening in this hard‑to‑treat group. A 43% risk reduction and a four‑fold increase in median PFS could change the standard of care and improve long‑term outcomes…

Short-term and longer-term

Short-term. Over the next few days, watch for a short‑term price move as the market digests the 43% risk‑reduction figure and the four‑fold PFS extension.

Longer-term. In the coming months, the trial’s positive data could strengthen Merck’s oncology portfolio and support long‑term revenue growth from KEYTRUDA.