Merck recently introduced its new multi-use cancer drug at the 2016 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
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Ruth de Jauregui | Jan 23, 2016

Merck presents on new multi-use cancer drug at 2016 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Merck recently presented the latest findings on Keytruda (pembrolizumab), its anti-PD-1 therapy, at the 2016 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium that is held in San Francisco from Jan. 21 to 23.

Among the findings were the Phase II safety data in gastric cancer. The therapy is designed to fight gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

“Advanced gastrointestinal cancers are difficult to treat and new therapies are needed,” Merck Research Laboratories Senior Vice President Dr. Roger Dansey said. “Through our rapidly advancing clinical program, we have seen promising results with Keytruda in several gastrointestinal cancers and are hopeful about the potential of Keytruda for these patients.”

Two oral presentations were held at the symposium: the updated results of the Phase Ib study on advanced esophageal cancer and the PD-1 blockade study on non-colorectal gastrointestinal cancers. Merck also gave eight poster presentations over the course of the three-day event.

Keytruda works by increasing the immune system's ability to detect and fight cancer cells. Merck currently has seven trials in the planning stages or underway that are evaluating the use of Keytruda for gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer.

Other trials investigating Keytruda enroll patients suffering from a variety of other cancers, including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma.

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