FDA Approves Merck's Keytruda/Chemo Combo For Early Breast Cancer

by Vandana Singh, Benzinga Editor

July 27, 2021 7:56 AM | 1 min read | Make a Comment

The FDA has approved Merck & Co Inc MRK immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to treat an early form of breast cancer in combination with chemotherapy.
The FDA approval is for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive form of the disease with an increased risk of recurrence.
KEYNOTE-522 Trial data in over 1,000 patients showed that the drug, combined with chemotherapy before surgery and then used as monotherapy after surgery, significantly prolonged event-free survival.
There was a 37% reduction in the risk of disease progression.
With this approval, Keytruda is now approved in the U.S. for 30 indications.
Price Action: MRK shares are up 0.08% at $77.3 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.
Related content: Benzinga's Full FDA Calendar.