Key clinical point : Preliminary data of a phase 2 study found that the combination of azacitidine and pembrolizumab was well-tolerated and demonstrated antitumor activity in treatment-naïve patients with higher-Risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
Major finding : The overall response rate was 80%, with 3 patients reaching complete remission, 4 patients achieving marrow CR (mCR), 4 patients achieving mCR with hematologic improvement (HI), and 1 patient demonstrating HI. Treatment was well-tolerated, the most common treatment-related adverse events being arthralgia, pneumonia, nausea, and skin rash.
Study details : The preliminary phase 2 trial data come from 17 treatment-naïve patients treated with frontline combination of azacitidine and pembrolizumab, with a median follow-up time of 13.8 months and 5 patients continuing on treatment in cycles 4-28.
Disclosures: The study is sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The authors reported relationships with various pharmaceutical companies and/or research organizations.
Source: Chien KS et al. ASH 2020. 2020 Dec 5. Abstract 1288 .