A new study combining the use of Merck’s Keytruda cancer treatment with Incyte’s immune-oncology drug Epacadostat, is showing promising results in advanced melanoma patients, writes Linda Loyd for Philly.com.

The data was presented by Merck, which has facilities in West Point and Upper Gwynedd, and biopharmaceutical firm Incyte at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress in Madrid over the weekend.

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The Phase 1-2 study showed that a combination of oral pill developed by Incyte and Merck’s injectable medicine either shrank metastatic melanoma tumors or caused them to disappear in 56 percent of the 65 enrolled patients. Based on Merck’s previous studies, Keytruda alone shrank or eradicated tumors in 33 percent of patients.

Keytruda, which is already approved as a solo treatment for advanced melanoma and other cancers with distinct genetic mutations, had worldwide sales of $1.5 billion in the first half of the year.

Phase 3 of the study for their combined use is already underway with 700 patients. Half are only using Keytruda, while the other half is getting a combination of Keytruda-Epacadostat. The study is expected to be able to report its preliminary results in May.

Read more about Merck’s new combined treatment at Philly.com by clicking here.

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