The phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 study demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma who are at high risk of recurrence post-surgery, using adjuvant pembrolizumab therapy. In the study, the first of its kind to show improved overall survival with adjuvant therapy in kidney cancer, 994 patients were randomized to receive either pembrolizumab or a placebo. At 48 months, the pembrolizumab group showed a significant 91.2% overall survival rate compared with 86.0% in the placebo group. Patients receiving pembrolizumab experienced a 28% reduction in cancer recurrence risk and a 38% lower risk of death than those who received the placebo, with benefits observed across various subgroups.
The KEYNOTE-564 study findings indicate that pembrolizumab is not only effective in delaying recurrence but also in significantly improving overall survival in patients with kidney cancer. The success of pembrolizumab in the KEYNOTE-564 study has led to the initiation of a new trial combining pembrolizumab with the HIF-2α inhibitor belzutifan, aiming to further advance treatment options for patients with kidney cancer.
Reference: The ASCO Post Staff. Survival Benefit With Adjuvant Immunotherapy in Patients With Clear Cell RCC. The ASCO Post. Updated January 29, 2024. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://ascopost.com/news/january-2024/survival-benefit-with-adjuvant-immunotherapy-in-patients-with-clear-cell-rcc/
