Merck and Eisai halt Keytruda-Lenvima trial in head and neck cancer due to disappointing results

Merck and Eisai have decided to halt a Phase III clinical trial studying the combination of Keytruda and Eisai's Lenvima in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The decision was made after an interim analysis showed that the combination did not improve overall survival compared to Keytruda and placebo in patients with PD-L1 expressing tumors. As the study was unlikely to meet its primary endpoint, the trial was stopped.