Merck’s KEYNOTE‑C93 trial shows pembrolizumab cuts progression risk by 43% in dMMR endometrial cancer
Merck announced that in the Phase 3 KEYNOTE‑C93 study, pembrolizumab monotherapy reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 43% versus platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with mismatch‑repair‑deficient advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Median progression‑free survival was 38.2 months with pembrolizumab compared with 8.4 months on chemotherapy. The safety profile was favorable, with Grade ≥3 treatment‑related adverse events in 18.1% of pembrolizumab patients versus 50.7% on chemotherapy. The company said the data expand KEYTRUDA’s use in gynecologic cancers.
Why it matters
Merck expects the result to broaden KEYTRUDA’s market opportunity in endometrial cancer, potentially adding a new monotherapy indication (the company says it expands use). The strong efficacy and safety signals could drive future sales and influence treatment guidelines.
Key facts
- 1Pembrolizumab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 43% (hazard ratio = 0.57; 95% CI 0.42‑0.79; p = 0.0002) versus chemotherapy. merck.com
- 2Median progression‑free survival was 38.2 months for pembrolizumab and 8.4 months for chemotherapy. merck.com
- 3Median follow‑up was 36.7 months (range 28.4‑50.0). merck.com
- 4Grade ≥3 treatment‑related adverse events occurred in 18.1% of pembrolizumab patients (n = 149) versus 50.7% of chemotherapy patients (n = 144). merck.com
- 5Confirmed objective response rate was 64.1% with pembrolizumab versus 62.1% with chemotherapy. merck.com
- 6Results were presented at the ESMO Congress 2026 and published in The Lancet. merck.com
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 3 of 3 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.