Merck’s Keytruda-LAG-3 combo fails to tame tough colorectal cancer in phase 3 (Fierce Biotech)

Merck’s combination of Keytruda and an anti-LAG-3 antibody failed to improve overall survival in metastatic microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer, according to the KEYFORM-007 trial. While Keytruda has shown promise in microsatellite instability-high solid tumors, MSS colorectal cancer has proven resistant to checkpoint inhibitors, with response rates below 10%. The failure of this combination highlights the ongoing challenge in treating MSS colorectal cancer, as other mechanisms, like LAG-3 inhibition, are still being explored without breakthrough results yet.