Keytruda vs Opdivo

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Opdivo (nivolumab) are both PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors that have been reviewed by regulatory bodies for various cancer indications. Keytruda is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, and for resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS≥1). Opdivo is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) in combination with ipilimumab, and for MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following prior treatment.

Keytruda's review documents highlight an Objective Response Rate of 74.4% in the pembrolizumab arm compared to 51.9% in the placebo arm, with a Complete Response Rate of 11.3% versus 3.1%, respectively, and a Median Duration of Response of 10.6 months versus 9.5 months. Opdivo's review documents report an Overall Response Rate (ORR) of 31.7%, a Median Progression-free Survival of 3.5 months, and a Median Overall Survival of 15.7 months.

It is crucial to note that these drugs were studied in separate clinical trials with distinct designs, patient populations, and timepoints. The endpoints, comparator arms, and specific patient characteristics varied between the studies. Therefore, the figures presented for each drug are not directly comparable, and no implication of superiority or inferiority between the two drugs should be drawn from these data.