Keytruda and its endless search for new immune inhibitorsIt always amazes me the number of "satellite" drugs (mostly immune checkpoint inhibitors) that Merck is trying in combination with its Keytruda blockbuster in order to boots its efficacy.
No wonder why Keytruda is currently in 1000 clinical trials!
Here's just another example, this time with a biotech called Astellas Pharma, taken on the PMCC clinical trials web site:
A Multiple-dose Study of ASP8374, an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor, as a Single Agent and in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Subjects With Advanced Solid Tumors
NCT #: NCT03260322
Lead Sponsor: Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.
Disease Site Group: Multiple Disease Sites
Disease Site Location: Multiple Disease Sites
Trial Phase: Phase 1
Disease Stage: Advanced Cancer
Treatment Line: Greater than Third line,Second Line,Third Line
Interventions:
Drug : Pembrolizumab
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lillian Siu
Description
The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and safety profile of ASP8374 when administered as a single agent and in combination with pembrolizumab in participants with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic solid tumor malignancies. Also primary purpose is to characterize the pharmacokinetic profile of ASP8374 when administered as a single agent and in combination with pembrolizumab. Last primary purpose of this study is to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ASP8374 when administered as a single agent and in combination with pembrolizumab.