Higher dose/ less frequent Keytruda early data promising in Keynote 555 trial

[missyrand]

Giving the anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda) at a higher dose but less often was safe and effective in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, interim data from KEYNOTE 555 showed. Note that the study size is very small at 44 persons with stage 3/4 melanoma and this is data at the mid-point of the study, but the FDA already fast-tracked approval based on these results. Read more here:

medpagetoday.com/meetingcov...

peace,

missy

[SGHSweethearts]

Missy,

Hmmm. This study makes me nervous. Mark was on Opdivo every 2 wks for almost 17 months and the minute they changed him to 1 a month It was too much at one time I think. Tried to go back to every 2 weeks , but it had already started attacking his esophagus, and stomach and he had to stop. Mark agreed to the switch, but I never wanted to myself. I hate change.

Michele

[missyrand Ambassador in reply to SGHSweethearts]

I hear that change makes you nervous. Time will help declare if these alternative dosings/ frequency produce different adverse reactions and same outcomes. Wayne was on Keytruda when the protocol changed from dosings based on weight to a standardized dose. I also know side effects can also be about the accumulation of effects as well as single dosings that are larger. But you know, science. It's everything and not at the same time.

peace,

missy