Pembrolizumab: first anti-PD-1/L1-based regimen for first-line treatment of advanced esophageal cancer in Japan

Figures & data

Figure 1. Mechanism of action of pembrolizumab. MHC, major histocompatibility complex; PD-1, programmed cell death-1; PD-L1, programmed cell death ligand-1; TCR, T-cell receptor.

Table 1. Clinical efficacy in the Japanese population and global population in the KEYNOTE-590 trial.

Population	Country	N	Regimen	ORR (%)	PFS (months)	OS (months)
ITT	Japan	141	CF + pembrolizumab	56.8	6.3	17.6
			CF	38.8	6.0	11.7
	Global	749	CF + pembrolizumab	45.0	6.3	12.4
			CF	29.3	5.8	9.8
ESCC	Japan	126	CF + pembrolizumab	-	6.5	17.7
			CF	-	6.1	11.7
	Global	548	CF + pembrolizumab	-	6.3	12.6
			CF	-	5.8	9.8
PD-L1 (CPS ≥10)	Japan	84	CF + pembrolizumab	-	8.2	16.9
			CF	-	4.3	11.2
	Global	383	CF + pembrolizumab	-	7.5	13.5
			CF	-	5.5	9.4

CF: cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil; CPS: combined positive score; ESCC: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; ITT: intent-to-treat; ORR: objective response rate; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival.

Table

Drug name	Pembrolizumab
Phase	Launched
Indication	Advanced esophageal cancer
Pharmacology description/ mechanisms of action	Monoclonal antibody; PD-1 antagonist
Chemical Structure	Not applicable
Pivotal trials	KEYNOTE-590 (22)