Pembrolizumab versus investigator-choice chemotherapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (KEYNOTE-119): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial
In the KEYNOTE-119 study (n=622), pembrolizumab was not associated with improved overall survival when compared to single-agent chemotherapy in adults with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, either overall or in subgroups according to PD-L1 combined positive score.
Source:
The Lancet Oncology
SPS commentary:
A comment article discussing this study notes there were important limitations, including the fact that platinum agents were not permitted in the chemotherapy control group, despite 60% receiving second-line treatment. It was expected that most participants would have been exposed to platinum previously, but this was the case for fewer than half. This limits the generalisability of the results, as does the fact that a large proportion of patients who were screened were excluded (e.g. due to organ dysfunction, poor performance status), highlighting the challenges of conducting trials in this population.