Video

Dr. Andre on the Rationale for the KEYNOTE-177 Trial in mCRC

Thierry Andre, MD, discusses the rationale for the phase 3 KEYNOTE-177 trial in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Thierry Andre, MD, professor of medical oncology, University Pierre et Marie Curie (UMPC), and Head of the Medical Oncology Department in St. Antoine Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, discusses the rationale for the phase 3 KEYNOTE-177 trial in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

The standard treatment for patients with mCRC is chemotherapy plus cetuximab (Erbitux), panitumumab (Vectibix), or bevacizumab (Avastin), says Andre. However, patients with microsatellite instability—high (MSI-H) mCRC receive limited benefit from this regimen in terms of progression-free survival and response rates compared with patients with microsatellite stable disease.

As such, KEYNOTE-177 randomized patients with MSI-H/mismatch repair deficient mCRC to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) versus standard of care chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab or cetuximab as first-line therapy.

Phase 2 data suggested that previously treated patients with MSI-H tumors can derive survival benefit from pembrolizumab, explains Andre.

Additionally, MSI-H mCRC is associated with a high tumor burden and neoantigen load and therefore is thought to be responsive to immunotherapy, concludes Andre.

Related Videos
James J. Harding, MD, associate attending physician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
J. Bradley Elder, MD
Rimas V. Lukas, MD
Adam E. Singer, MD, PhD, Health Sciences Clinical Instructor, medicine, division lead, kidney cancer, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA Health
Diane Reidy-Lagunes, MD, vice chair, Oncology Operations, Regional Care Network, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Shubham Pant, MD, MBBS
Kevin Kalinsky, MD, MS, professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, director, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine; Louisa and Rand Glenn Family Chair in Breast Cancer Research, director, Glenn Family Breast Center, director, Breast Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Brett L. Ecker, MD
Benjamin Garmezy, MD, assistant director, Genitourinary Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Yelena Y. Janjigian, MD, chief, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center