Merck to present new data in five tumor types from studies svaluating pembrolizumab, the company’s investigational anti-PD-1 antibody, at ESMO 2014

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the presentation of data from ongoing clinical trials evaluating the anti-tumor activity of pembrolizumab, the company’s investigational anti-PD-1 antibody, at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2014 in Madrid, Spain, September 26 – 30. Data on pembrolizumab are planned to be presented in five advanced solid tumor types, including the first presentation of data evaluating pembrolizumab for the treatment of gastric and bladder (urothelial tract) cancers. Three late-breaking abstracts have been accepted for oral presentation.

“We are pleased to present the first data for our investigational anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab in gastric and bladder cancers at ESMO 2014,” said Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president, Global Clinical Development, Merck Research Laboratories. “The presentation of data for five advanced tumor types underscores the breadth of Merck’s immuno-oncology development program evaluating pembrolizumab in diverse tumor types, different stages of disease and multiple lines of therapy.”

Abstracts involving Merck Oncology-sponsored studies at ESMO 2014 include:

Bladder and Gastric Cancers

• (Abstract #LBA23) Late-Breaker (Oral presentation): A Phase 1b Study of Pembrolizumab (Pembro; MK-3475) in Patients (Pts) With Advanced Urothelial Tract Cancer. E. Plimack. Monday, September 29, 11:00 AM-11:15 AM CEST. Location: Sevilla.
• (Abstract #LBA15) Late-Breaker (Oral presentation): A Phase 1b Study of Pembrolizumab (Pembro; MK-3475) in Patients (Pts) With Advanced Gastric Cancer. K. Muro. Sunday, September 28. 09:15 AM-09:30 AM CEST. Location: Madrid.

Advanced Melanoma

• (Abstract #LBA34) Late-Breaker (Poster discussion): Pembrolizumab (Pembro; MK-3475) for Advanced Melanoma (MEL): Randomized Comparison of Two Dosing Schedules. C. Robert, Monday, September 29. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM CEST. Location: Valencia.
• (Abstract #1075TiP) Poster: KEYNOTE-029: Phase 1/2 Study of MK-3475 in Combination With Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b (PEG-IFN) or Ipilimumab (IPI) in Patients (Pts) With Advanced Melanoma (MEL) or Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). T.K. Choueiri. Monday, September 29; 12:45 PM-1:45 PM CEST. Location: Poster Area.
• (Abstract #1097P) Poster: PD-L1 Expression and Overall Survival Among Patients With Melanoma. T. Steiniche. Sunday, September 28; 12:45 PM-1:45 PM CEST. Location: Poster Area.

NSCLC

• (Abstract #LBA43) Late-Breaker (Oral presentation): Antitumor Activity of Pembrolizumab (Pembro; MK-3475) and Correlation With Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Expression in a Pooled Analysis of Patients (pts) With Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC). E. Garon. Sunday, September 28; 09:15 AM-10:30 AM CEST. Location: Barcelona.
• (Abstract #1328P) Poster: PD-L1 Expression and Survival Among Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients Treated With Chemotherapy. S. Sorensen. Saturday, September 27; 12:45 PM-1:45 PM CEST. Location: Poster Area.

Head and Neck Cancer

• (Abstract #LBA31) Late-Breaker (Poster discussion): A Phase Ib Study of Pembrolizumab (Pembro; MK-3475) in Patients (Pts) With Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV)-Positive and Negative Head and Neck Cancer (HNC). L. Chow. Sunday, September 28; 1:00 PM-2:00 PM CEST. Location: Poster Area.

For more information about the ESMO Congress and for a complete list of abstract titles, please refer to www.esmo.org/Conferences/ESMO-2014-Congress.