Plexxikon and MSD team up to evaluate PLX3397 in combination with KEYTRUDA

Plexxikon, a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group, and MSD have announced a collaborative clinical trial that will evaluate the combination of PLX3397, Plexxikon’s investigational CSF-1R inhibitor, and KEYTRUDA, MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, which provides the potential for a double blockade of cancer-induced immune suppression.

The Phase 1/2 trial will enroll patients with advanced melanoma and multiple other solid tumours with the goal of determining the safety and tolerability of the combination therapy. The trial is expected to begin enrollment by mid-year.

PLX3397 and KEYTRUDA have potential application in multiple types of cancer

“We are excited to evaluate PLX3397 in combination with KEYTRUDA, as each agent is designed to attack cancer cells in different ways. Cancer cells use multiple tactics to evade host immune responses, and the combination of these two agents is being investigated to re-activate anti-tumour immunity using distinct and complementary mechanisms,” stated Gideon Bollag, Ph.D, chief executive officer of Plexxikon, a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group. “Importantly, both PLX3397 and KEYTRUDA have potential application in multiple types of cancer.”

“We are at an important juncture in the advancement of immuno-oncology, and this is why MSD is focused on this area of breakthrough science,” stated Dr. Eric Rubin, therapeutic area head, oncology early-stage development, MSD Research Laboratories. “Given the promising data observed with KEYTRUDA and PLX3397, we are eager to see how combining these medicines may be complementary in increasing the immune response.”