EMA restricts use of Keytruda and Tecentriq in bladder cancer

4 June 2018

Early data from two clinical trialsshow reduced survival with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Tecentriq (atezolizumab) when used as first-line treatments for urothelial cancer (cancer of the bladder and urinary tract) in patients with low levels of a protein called PD-L1, the European Medicines Agency stated on Friday.

The data indicate that Merck & Co’s (NYSE: MRK) Keytruda and Roche’s (ROG: SIX) Tecentriq may not work as well as chemotherapy medicines in this group of patients.

As a result, the EMA has recommended restricting the use of these medicines as first-line treatments for urothelial cancer.

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