How much does KEYTRUDA extend life?
KEYTRUDA has shown to extend the period during which patients live without their cancer spreading, growing, or getting worse, often referred to as progression-free survival. Based on clinical trial data, patients treated with KEYTRUDA experienced a median of 1.1 months longer without their cancer progressing compared to those on chemotherapy.
Understanding KEYTRUDA's Impact on Cancer Progression
While "extending life" broadly refers to overall survival, the specific data available highlights KEYTRUDA's effectiveness in delaying the advancement of cancer. This means patients gain a longer duration of stable disease before it progresses.
Key Findings on Progression-Free Survival
Clinical trial results indicate a significant benefit of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in controlling cancer progression for previously treated patients.
- Reduced Risk of Progression: KEYTRUDA reduced the risk of cancer spreading, growing, or getting worse by 42% when compared to chemotherapy. This demonstrates a substantial improvement in disease control.
- Median Progression-Free Survival (PFS):
- For patients receiving KEYTRUDA (2 mg/kg given every 3 weeks), half were alive without their cancer spreading, growing, or getting worse for a median of 5.2 months.
- In contrast, for patients on chemotherapy, half were alive without their cancer spreading, growing, or getting worse for a median of 4.1 months.
This difference means that KEYTRUDA extended the median time patients remained free from disease progression by 1.1 months (5.2 months - 4.1 months).
Comparative Overview
To illustrate the difference in the median time patients lived without their cancer progressing:
| Treatment | Median Time Without Cancer Progression |
|---|---|
| KEYTRUDA | 5.2 months |
| Chemotherapy | 4.1 months |
| Benefit with KEYTRUDA | 1.1 months longer |
This extended period without disease progression is a valuable outcome in cancer treatment, potentially allowing patients more time with stable disease and better quality of life.
For more detailed information on KEYTRUDA's clinical trial results, you can visit the official KEYTRUDA website.
