Pembrolizumab fails as monotherapy in breast cancer trial

But research continues to see whether it can benefit triple-negative patients in combination with chemo
Reuters Health
Pink ribbon signifying breast cancer

A phase III trial of pembrolizumab for second- or third-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer has failed to demonstrate superior overall survival compared to chemotherapy, manufacturer Merck has announced.

The pre-specified primary endpoint of superior overall survival compared to chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine or vinorelbine) was not met in the phase III KEYNOTE-119 trial.