Merck and Eisai report disappointing results from trials of combination treatment for melanoma and colorectal cancer

Merck MRK and its Japanese partner Eisai said Friday they are discontinuing the Phase 3 LEAP-003 trial evaluating Keytruda plus Lenvima for the first-line treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic melanoma after data showed the combination did not produce an improvement in overall survival, or OS, compared with Keytruda alone. OS was one of two primary endpoints; the other, progression-free survival, did show a statistically significant improvement in an earlier interim analysis of data. The partners said the Phase 3 LEAP-017 trial evaluating Keytruda plus Lenvima as a treatment for patients with unresectable…