KEYTRUDA® - now registered for bladder cancer
26th October, 2017, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) is now registered by Medsafe for the treatment of patients with advanced
urothelial carcinoma (a type of bladder cancer).[1]
Urothelial carcinoma, the most common type of bladder cancer, starts in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the
bladder. In 2014, 437 New Zealanders were diagnosed with bladder cancer,[2] and around 70% of those diagnosed were men.
[2]
Paul Smith, MSD New Zealand Director says, “Medsafe has now registered KEYTRUDA for advanced urothelial carcinoma
patients who have received prior platinum-containing chemotherapy, as well as adults with advanced urothelial carcinoma,
who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.”[1]
Chemotherapy has long been the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients with advanced bladder cancer; however,
around half of patients may not be well enough to receive this type of treatment.[3]
The Medsafe approval in previously treated patients was based on results for KEYTRUDA versus chemotherapy in the
KEYNOTE-045 trial. Nearly double the number of KEYTRUDA patients responded to treatment (57) versus the chemotherapy
patients (31) [4] and 7% [5] of patients had a complete response meaning their cancer was undetectable. In addition, 68%
of the patients who responded were continuing to respond at 12 months compared to 35% of the chemotherapy patients. [4]
The Medsafe approval for untreated patients who were ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy was based on the
KEYNOTE-052 trial; where patients received KEYTRUDA every three weeks.[6] This trial demonstrated an overall response
rate of 24 % [6] and 5% of patients had their cancer completely disappear.[6]
Paul Smith says, “Despite advances, there remain limited treatment options for patients with advanced bladder cancer, so
it is very exciting to have a new treatment option for these difficult-to-treat patients.
“Our focus is on working with PHARMAC to ensure patients gain access to KEYTRUDA as quickly as possible. Patients
wanting to access KEYTRUDA now should seek advice from their cancer specialist about the options that may benefit them.
“MSD currently has a large immuno-oncology clinical development programme in bladder cancer, with 29 trials involving
KETYRUDA alone or in combination with other medicines.” [7]
KEYTRUDA, which was funded for advanced melanoma last year, also has three registrations for advanced non-small cell
lung cancer and a registration for classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in New Zealand.[1]
-ENDS-
If you would like to arrange an interview with:
MSD New Zealand Director, Paul Smith please contact Sheryl Kurte on 021 281 7584
References
1. New Zealand Data Sheet
2. Ministry of Health, New Cancer Registrations 2014
3. Galsky MD, Hahn NM, Rosenberg J, et al. Treatment of patients with metastatic urothelial cancer “unfit” for
cisplatin-based
chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29: 2432–38.
4. Bellmunt et al. Pembrolizumab as second-line therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma. The New England Journal
of Medicine March 16 2017
5. Bellmunt et al Supplementary Appendix The New England Journal of Medicine 2017
6. Balar et al, First-line pembrolizumab in cisplatin-ineligible patients with locally advanced and unresectable or
metastatic urothelial cancer (KEYNOTE-052): a multicentre, single arm, phase 2 study
7. Merck News Release - European Medicines Agency’s CHMP Recommends Approval for Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
for the Treatment of Certain Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma, a Type of Bladder
Cancer. Published July 21 2017
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) 50mg powder for infusion
KEYTRUDA is a Prescription Only Medicine
Use: KEYTRUDA is used:
• in the treatment of melanoma which cannot be removed by surgery alone or when it has spread to multiple sites in the
body.
• in the treatment of a kind of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• in the treatment of classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL)
• in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma, including bladder cancer
Side effects: Immune-mediated side effects including inflammation of the lungs, colon, liver, kidneys, pituitary gland, brain, eye,
muscles, nervous system, pancreas, and heart, thyroid disorders, type 1 diabetes mellitus. Severe skin reactions
including Steven-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Severe infusion reactions including hypersensitivity
and anaphylaxis. Very common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, itching, rash, joint pain, back pain, feeling tired,
cough, patches of discoloured skin, stomach pain, decreased levels of sodium in blood. Tiredness, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, constipation, shortness of breath, rash, itching, headache, hair loss, and, infections of the upper
respiratory tract were reported when given in combination with chemotherapy. You may experience more than one side
effect at the same time.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor to see if KEYTRUDA is right for you. KEYTRUDA is a funded
medicine for melanoma patients– restrictions apply. KEYTRUDA is an unfunded medicine for NSCLC, cHL and urothelial
carcinoma patients. Ask your health professional the cost of the medicine and any other medical fees that may apply. Use
only as directed and if symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist, or health professional.
Based on data sheet prepared 25 September 2017. Marketed by: Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Limited, Newmarket, Auckland. For additional product information, consult the Consumer Medicine
Information (CMI), available on request, phone 0800 500 673 or refer to the Medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz .
Copyright © 2017 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2017 Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Pty Limited. Level 3,123 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland. All rights reserved.
ONCO-1234554-0000 TAPS NA 9520 First Issued October 2017