{"id":21788,"date":"2023-04-14T16:30:05","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T20:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?p=21788"},"modified":"2023-12-21T12:03:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T17:03:21","slug":"keytruda-chemotherapy-mesothelioma-survival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/blog\/keytruda-chemotherapy-mesothelioma-survival\/","title":{"rendered":"Clinical Trial Shows Keytruda\u00ae With Chemotherapy Improves Pleural Mesothelioma Survival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Initial results from a clinical trial led by Merck and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) show that the immunotherapy drug Keytruda\u00ae (pembrolizumab) improved overall survival for pleural mesothelioma<\/a> patients when combined with chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

The KEYNOTE-483 trial included 440 patients with late-stage pleural mesothelioma who were not eligible for surgery.<\/p>\n

Patients who received the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab alongside chemotherapy had higher overall survival rates<\/a>.<\/strong> The combination of treatments appears to be more effective than chemotherapy alone.<\/p>\n

Mesothelioma is an incredibly aggressive cancer with an average prognosis<\/a> of 12-16 months in its later stages. However, new and emerging treatment options are helping patients live longer.<\/p>\n

The preliminary findings from the KEYNOTE-483 study provide more supporting evidence of the benefits of immunotherapy as part of a multimodal treatment plan<\/a> \u2014 and good news for those battling late-stage pleural mesothelioma.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere have been few treatment advances for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, which can be challenging to treat through surgery and radiation alone,\u201d said Dr. Quincy Chu, chair of the study. \u201cThe results from the trial have the potential to make a difference for patients with this disease who have had limited treatment options available to them.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Merck and the CCTG will release detailed survival rates from the trial after presenting the full results at an upcoming medical meeting.<\/p>\n

Keytruda\u00ae Could Join Other Immunotherapy Drugs as an Effective Mesothelioma Treatment Option<\/h2>\n

Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Opdivo\u00ae (nivolumab) and Yervoy\u00ae (ipilimumab) for unresectable (not treatable through surgery) pleural mesothelioma in October 2020, immunotherapy<\/a> has shown growing promise as an effective treatment for mesothelioma.<\/p>\n