Merck & Co (MSD) Reports Promising Results for New Cancer Treatment

Merck & Co's ADC Therapy Shows Promising Results in Lung and Breast Cancer Trials

Merck & Co (MSD) has reported positive outcomes from Phase II and III trials of sacituzumab tirumotecan, its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy, for lung and breast cancer indications. The Phase II trial in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients revealed an objective response rate (ORR) of 48.6% and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 15.4 months. Meanwhile, the Phase III trial in patients with advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer exhibited a 69% reduction in the risk of progression or death. An interesting note is that MSD obtained a license for sacituzumab tirumotecan, which targets TROP2 and is linked to a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, from Sichuan Kelun-Biotech in 2022.

Key Takeaways

• Merck & Co's sacituzumab tirumotecan displays favorable results in Phase II and III trials for lung and breast cancer.
• This therapy, acquired from Sichuan Kelun-Biotech, features a different payload and linker compared to Gilead Sciences' Trodelvy.
• The Phase II trial demonstrated an ORR of 48.6% and a median PFS of 15.4 months in NSCLC patients when sacituzumab tirumotecan was combined with KL-A167.
• The Phase III trial achieved its primary endpoint, showcasing a 69% decrease in the risk of progression or death among metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients.
• Merck is evaluating sacituzumab tirumotecan in combination with Keytruda in a Phase III trial for the first-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC.

Analysis

The success of Merck & Co in the Phase II and III trials for sacituzumab tirumotecan in lung and breast cancer suggests a promising future for ADC therapies. This development may impact key stakeholders like Sichuan Kelun-Biotech, cancer patients, and oncology providers. The therapy's distinct payload and linker, as compared to Gilead Sciences' Trodelvy, indicate potential competitive advantages for Merck. The short-term consequences encompass heightened investor interest in Merck and ADC-focused biotechnology companies, while the long-term implications include potential growth in Merck's oncology portfolio, increased market competition, and advancements in cancer treatment options. Additionally, countries with high cancer incidence rates may benefit from this innovation, while healthcare systems should anticipate potential budgetary impacts.

Did You Know?

• Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy: This innovative cancer treatment combines the targeting ability of monoclonal antibodies with the cancer-killing power of cytotoxic drugs, aiming to deliver the drug directly to cancer cells.
• TROP2-targeting antibody: TROP2, a transmembrane protein overexpressed in various cancers including lung and breast cancer, is specifically targeted by sacituzumab tirumotecan to ensure precise delivery of the cytotoxic payload to cancer cells, reducing off-target effects.
• Belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor payload: By linking a belotecan derivative to the TROP2-targeting antibody, sacituzumab tirumotecan efficiently delivers the cytotoxic payload directly to cancer cells, inducing DNA damage and cell death. This differs from Gilead Sciences' Trodelvy, which employs a different payload (SN-38) and linker.