Pembrolizumab versus ipilimumab in advanced melanoma (KEYNOTE-006): post-hoc 5-year results from an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 study -

Pembrolizumab versus ipilimumab in advanced melanoma (KEYNOTE-006): post-hoc 5-year results from an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 study
Information type: Randomised controlled trials
Source: The Lancet Oncology
Specialities: Cancers | Skin disorders
Summary
RCT (n=834) reports after median follow-up of 57.7months in surviving patients, overall survival was 32.7months in pembrolizumab groups v 15.9months in the ipilimumab group (HR 0.73, p=0.00049). Median progression-free survival was 8.4 v 3.4months respectively (HR 0.57, p<0.0001)
UKMi comment
In a related editorial the author suggests the long-term follow-up results from the KEYNOTE-006 study show the potential of pembrolizumab for long-term tumour control. “Nonetheless, most patients will subsequently progress. Although patients can respond to re-treatment, the effectiveness of a second course of pembrolizumab seems to be lower. Clinical trials are urgently needed to assess the best duration of pembrolizumab treatment for melanoma”.
Related links: Editorial