KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) vs carboplatin plus paclitaxel - (KEYNOTE-C93)

July 15, 2026: Merck (NYSE: MRK) reported that the Phase 3 KEYNOTE‑C93 trial (NCT05173987) met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) monotherapy versus carboplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who were chemotherapy-naïve (or recurred >6 months after adjuvant therapy). At a pre-specified interim analysis by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, overall survival (OS) showed a trend favoring KEYTRUDA but was not mature; the trial continues with OS to be assessed in a future analysis. Merck also said the interim analysis showed clinically meaningful overall response rate (ORR), complete response rate (CRR), and duration of response (DOR), with safety consistent with prior KEYTRUDA studies and no new safety signals. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and shared with regulators.

Other programs noted: Merck’s sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac‑TMT) ADC program—TroFuse‑005 (NCT06132958) previously met primary endpoints of PFS and OS and key secondary endpoint ORR in previously treated endometrial cancer; TroFuse‑033 (NCT06952504) is enrolling in first-line maintenance pMMR endometrial cancer. KEYNOTE‑B21 (NCT04634877) remains ongoing for dMMR subgroup analysis.