A type of targeted chemotherapy developed by China-based Kelun-Biotech and licensed to Merck cut the risk of tumor progression by 65% in patients with lung cancer, according to Phase 3 study results reported Thursday.
A preliminary survival benefit favoring the Kelun-Merck drug, called sacituzumab tirumotecan, or sac-TMT, was also seen in the study, but will require longer follow-up to confirm.
The study, conducted in China, is the first successful combination of an antibody-drug conjugate with a PD-1-targeted immunotherapy in patients with advanced but previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer.