Study: Pembrolizumab Shows Efficacy in Japanese Patients with Advanced Melanoma
A recent analysis of the phase 1b KEYNOTE-041 trial indicated effectiveness and tolerability of pembrolizumab in Japanese patients with advanced melanoma. Researchers conducted the study over a 12-month period. The study evaluated pembrolizumab’s long-term efficacy and safety in individuals with locally advanced (unresectable stage III) or metastatic (stage IV) melanoma who were ineligible for local therapy. Patients had all received limited prior systemic treatments. The study drug was administered at a dosage of 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks for up to 2 years or until confirmed disease progression or intolerable side effects. According to the results, pembrolizumab exhibited a promising overall response rate (ORR) of 24.3% among evaluable patients, with two patients achieving complete response following initial partial response. Median overall survival (OS) reached 25.1 months, with a 30-month OS rate of 46.3%, indicating durable antitumor activity. Furthermore, the median duration of respon