Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced that the Phase 3 KEYLYNK-001 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA ^® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy followed by maintenance with LYNPARZA ^® (olaparib), with or without bevacizumab, as a first-line treatment for people with BRCA non-mutated advanced epithelial ovarian cancer met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). At the final analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, the KEYTRUDA plus LYNPARZA regimen demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS for these patients compared to chemotherapy alone.

The study did not reach its secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS). The role of KEYTRUDA in the intention-to-treat population remains uncertain at this time. The safety profiles of KEYTRUDA and LYNPARZA were consistent with those observed in previously reported studies for the individual therapies. These results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and discussed with regulatory authorities.

“For people living with ovarian cancer, there remains an unmet need for new treatment options that have the potential to improve outcomes,” said Dr. Gursel Aktan, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “KEYLYNK-001 is the first positive Phase 3 trial for KEYTRUDA plus LYNPARZA, highlighting our commitment to research that may help address the global impact of women’s cancers.”

In the U.S., LYNPARZA has three approved indications in ovarian cancer: for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA -mutated (g BRCA m or s BRCA m) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy; in combination with bevacizumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive status defined by either a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, and/or genomic instability; and for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious g BRCA m or s BRCA m recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. For each of these indications, patients are selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.

KEYTRUDA is not approved to treat ovarian cancer. See selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S.