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Study of Pembrolizumab Versus Docetaxel in Participants Previously Treated for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (MK-3475-033/KEYNOTE-033)

A Multinational, Multicenter, Phase III, Randomized Open-label Trial of Pembrolizumab Versus Docetaxel in Previously Treated Subjects With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02864394
Enrollment
425
Registered
2016-08-12
Start date
2016-09-07
Completion date
2022-10-14
Last updated
2024-09-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung

Keywords

Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD1, PD-1), Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL1, PD-L1)

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) versus docetaxel in participants with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive tumors who have experienced disease progression after platinum-containing systemic therapy. The primary hypotheses of this study are that pembrolizumab (MK-3475) prolongs overall survival (OS) and that pembrolizumab prolongs progression-free survival (PFS), compared to docetaxel in participants with PD-L1 positive tumors.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALPembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab administered IV at 2 mg/kg on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 35 doses (approximately 24 months).

DRUGDocetaxel

Docetaxel administered IV at 75 mg/m\^2 on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle as per the approved product label.

Sponsors

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Chinese participants must be born, raised, and reside in China * Has a histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of stage IIIB/IV or recurrent NSCLC and have at least one measurable lesion as defined by RECIST 1.1 * Has a life expectancy of ≥3 months * Has progression of disease (investigator determined) per RECIST 1.1 after treatment with at least two cycles of a platinum-containing doublet * Has documentation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation status * Participants with an EGFR sensitizing mutation tumor will be excluded * Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0 or 1 within 10 days prior to study start * Has provided archival tumor tissue sample or newly obtained formalin fixed tumor tissue from a recent biopsy of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated * Has a PD-L1 positive tumor as determined by immunohistochemistry at a central laboratory * Has resolution of toxic effect(s) of the most recent prior chemotherapy to Grade 1 or less (except alopecia) * Has recovered from the toxicity and/or complications of any recent major surgery or radiation therapy * Females must not be pregnant (negative urine or serum human chorionic gonadotropin test within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication) * Female and male participants of reproductive potential must agree to use adequate contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) or 180 days after the last dose of docetaxel

Exclusion criteria

* Has received prior therapy with docetaxel for NSCLC * Is currently participating or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or using an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of study treatment * Is receiving systemic steroid therapy within 3 days prior to the first dose of study treatment or receiving any other form of immunosuppressive * Is expected to require any other form of systemic or localized antineoplastic therapy while on study including maintenance therapy with another agent for NSCLC or radiation therapy * Has received prior systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, antineoplastic biological therapy (e.g., cetuximab), any other agents used as systemic treatment for cancer, or major surgery within 3 weeks of the first dose of study treatment; received thoracic radiation therapy of \> 30 Gray Units (Gy) within 6 months of the first dose of study treatment; received prior ALK-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy or completed palliative radiotherapy of 30 Gy or less within 7 days of the first dose of study treatment * Has received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1), anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, with an agent directed to an agonist or antagonist T-cell check point receptor, or if the participant has previously participated in Merck sponsored clinical trials evaluating pembrolizumab (MK-3475) * Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment, with the exception of early stage cancers, treated with curative intent, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ cervical cancer, or in situ breast cancer that has undergone potentially curative therapy * Has known active central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis * Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years * Has had an allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant * Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis * Has received or will receive a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first administration of study medication * Has an active infection requiring intravenous systemic therapy * Has known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV ½ antibodies) * Has known active Hepatitis B or C * Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial * Is, at the time of signing informed consent, a regular user (including recreational use) of any illicit drugs or had a recent history (within the last year) of substance abuse (including alcohol) * Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children starting with the screening visit (Visit 1) through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) or 180 days after the last dose of docetaxel * Requires treatment with a strong inhibitor of Cytochrome P450 3A4

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Overall Survival (OS) in Participants With Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Positive (Tumor Proportion Score [TPS] ≥50%) TumorsUp to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the final analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up. Per protocol, OS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.
OS in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the final analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up. Per protocol, OS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).
Progression Free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) TumorsUp to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented progressive disease (PD) per RECIST 1.1 based on BICR, or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters (SOD) of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Per protocol, PFS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.
PFS Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented PD per RECIST 1.1 based on BICR, or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as ≥20% increase in the SOD of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Per protocol, PFS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)Up to approximately 66 monthsAn AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, MedDRA preferred terms Neoplasm progression, Malignant neoplasm progression and Disease progression not related to the study intervention are excluded. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).
Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AEUp to approximately 45 monthsAn AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, the number of participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) TumorsUp to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)ORR was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a Complete Response (CR: disappearance of all target lesions) or a Partial Response (PR: ≥30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. as assessed by BICR. Per protocol, the percentage of participants who experienced CR or PR is reported here as the ORR for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.
Number of Participants Who Experienced a Grade 3-5 AEUp to approximately 66 monthsAn AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, MedDRA preferred terms Neoplasm progression, Malignant neoplasm progression and Disease progression not related to the study intervention are excluded. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).
Number of Participants Who Experienced an AE That Was Experienced by ≥10% of Participants in Either ArmUp to approximately 66 monthsAn AE was any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, MedDRA preferred terms Neoplasm progression, Malignant neoplasm progression and Disease progression not related to the study intervention are excluded. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants (TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression) as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).
Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event of Special Interest (AEOSI)Up to approximately 66 monthsAn AEOSI was defined as any AE that is immune-mediated or potentially immune-mediated. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).
ORR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)ORR was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or a PR (≥30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. as assessed by BICR. Per protocol, the percentage of participants who experienced CR or PR is reported here as the ORR for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).
Duration of Response (DOR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) TumorsUp to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)For participants who demonstrated a confirmed CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1 based upon BICR, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of confirmed CR or PR until PD or death, whichever occurred first. DOR for participants who had not progressed or died at the time of analysis was censored at the date of their last tumor assessment. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Response duration was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method for censored data. Per protocol, DOR was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.
DOR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)For participants who demonstrated a confirmed CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1 based upon BICR, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of confirmed CR or PR until PD or death, whichever occurred first. DOR for participants who had not progressed or died at the time of analysis was censored at the date of their last tumor assessment. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Response duration was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method for censored data. Per protocol, DOR was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive (Tumor Proportion Score \[TPS\] ≥1%) tumors who had experienced disease progression after platinum-containing systemic therapy were recruited.

Pre-assignment details

Of 425 participants randomized, 411 received treatment on study. All 425 participants were PD-L1 positive (TPS ≥1%). At the time of the Final Analysis data cut-off (09-Sep-2019), 130 participants were ongoing in the study. No participants were ongoing in the study as of the final adverse event collection date (14-Oct-2022).

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Pembrolizumab
Participants with NSCLC receive pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes every 3 weeks (Q3W) for up to 35 doses (approximately 24 months).
213
Docetaxel
Participants with NSCLC receive Docetaxel 75 mg/m\^2 IV over 1 hour Q3W until disease progression, toxicity, investigator's decision to discontinue, or consent withdrawal.
212
Total425

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyDeath184189
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up02
Overall StudySponsor Decision2611
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject310

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPembrolizumabDocetaxelTotal
Age, Continuous60.6 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.8
61.0 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.2
60.8 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
15 Participants14 Participants29 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
198 Participants198 Participants396 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
PD-L1 Status
NOT EVALUABLE
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
PD-L1 Status
TPS <1%
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
PD-L1 Status
TPS = 1-49%
98 Participants98 Participants196 Participants
PD-L1 Status
TPS ≥50%
114 Participants112 Participants226 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
181 Participants177 Participants358 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
32 Participants35 Participants67 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
56 Participants48 Participants104 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
157 Participants164 Participants321 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
182 / 213195 / 2123 / 10
other
Total, other adverse events
193 / 213182 / 1989 / 10
serious
Total, serious adverse events
77 / 21375 / 1982 / 10

Outcome results

Primary

OS in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)

OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the final analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up. Per protocol, OS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants with PD-L1 TPS ≥1% (all participants).

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PembrolizumabOS in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)12.9 Months
DocetaxelOS in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)10.6 Months
Comparison: OS was not formally tested. Treatment comparison (HR) based on Cox regression model with Efron's method of tie handling with treatment as a covariate stratified by PD-L1 expression status (TPS ≥50% vs. TPS 1-49%). A nominal one-sided p-value for testing was based on log-rank test stratified by PD-L1 expression status (TPS ≥50% vs. TPS 1-49%).p-value: 0.007695% CI: [0.6, 0.95]Log Rank
Primary

Overall Survival (OS) in Participants With Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Positive (Tumor Proportion Score [TPS] ≥50%) Tumors

OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the final analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up. Per protocol, OS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PembrolizumabOverall Survival (OS) in Participants With Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Positive (Tumor Proportion Score [TPS] ≥50%) Tumors12.3 Months
DocetaxelOverall Survival (OS) in Participants With Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Positive (Tumor Proportion Score [TPS] ≥50%) Tumors10.9 Months
Comparison: Treatment comparison (Hazard Ratio, HR) based on Cox regression model with Efron's method of tie handling with treatment as a covariate. One-sided p-value was based on log-rank test.p-value: 0.127695% CI: [0.61, 1.14]Log Rank
Primary

PFS Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)

PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented PD per RECIST 1.1 based on BICR, or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as ≥20% increase in the SOD of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Per protocol, PFS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants with PD-L1 TPS ≥1% (all participants).

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PembrolizumabPFS Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)3.3 Months
DocetaxelPFS Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)3.0 Months
Comparison: PFS was not formally tested. Treatment comparison (HR) based on Cox regression model with Efron's method of tie handling with treatment as a covariate stratified by PD-L1 expression status (TPS ≥50% vs. TPS 1-49%). A nominal one-sided p-value for testing was based on log-rank test stratified by PD-L1 expression status (TPS ≥50% vs. TPS 1-49%).p-value: 0.084795% CI: [0.66, 1.08]Log Rank
Primary

Progression Free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors

PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented progressive disease (PD) per RECIST 1.1 based on BICR, or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters (SOD) of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Per protocol, PFS was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PembrolizumabProgression Free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors4.0 Months
DocetaxelProgression Free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors2.5 Months
Comparison: PFS was not formally tested. Treatment comparison (HR) based on Cox regression model with Efron's method of tie handling with treatment as a covariate. A nominal one-sided p-value for testing was based on log-rank test.p-value: 0.053495% CI: [0.54, 1.07]Log Rank
Secondary

DOR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)

For participants who demonstrated a confirmed CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1 based upon BICR, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of confirmed CR or PR until PD or death, whichever occurred first. DOR for participants who had not progressed or died at the time of analysis was censored at the date of their last tumor assessment. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Response duration was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method for censored data. Per protocol, DOR was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants in the PD-L1 TPS ≥1% stratum who demonstrated a confirmed CR or PR.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PembrolizumabDOR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)16.6 Months
DocetaxelDOR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)6.3 Months
Secondary

Duration of Response (DOR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors

For participants who demonstrated a confirmed CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1 based upon BICR, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of confirmed CR or PR until PD or death, whichever occurred first. DOR for participants who had not progressed or died at the time of analysis was censored at the date of their last tumor assessment. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum had to demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Response duration was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method for censored data. Per protocol, DOR was reported by treatment arm for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants in the PD-L1 TPS ≥50% stratum who demonstrated a confirmed CR or PR.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PembrolizumabDuration of Response (DOR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors16.6 Months
DocetaxelDuration of Response (DOR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors6.4 Months
Secondary

Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AE

An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, the number of participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).

Time frame: Up to approximately 45 months

Population: All randomized participants who received at least one dose of study treatment.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PembrolizumabNumber of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AE32 Participants
DocetaxelNumber of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AE24 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants Who Experienced a Grade 3-5 AE

An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, MedDRA preferred terms Neoplasm progression, Malignant neoplasm progression and Disease progression not related to the study intervention are excluded. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).

Time frame: Up to approximately 66 months

Population: All randomized participants who received at least one dose of study treatment.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PembrolizumabNumber of Participants Who Experienced a Grade 3-5 AE86 Participants
DocetaxelNumber of Participants Who Experienced a Grade 3-5 AE117 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)

An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, MedDRA preferred terms Neoplasm progression, Malignant neoplasm progression and Disease progression not related to the study intervention are excluded. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).

Time frame: Up to approximately 66 months

Population: All randomized participants who received at least one dose of study treatment.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PembrolizumabNumber of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)206 Participants
DocetaxelNumber of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)187 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event of Special Interest (AEOSI)

An AEOSI was defined as any AE that is immune-mediated or potentially immune-mediated. An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition that was temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).

Time frame: Up to approximately 66 months

Population: All randomized participants who received at least one dose of study treatment.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PembrolizumabNumber of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event of Special Interest (AEOSI)63 Participants
DocetaxelNumber of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event of Special Interest (AEOSI)12 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants Who Experienced an AE That Was Experienced by ≥10% of Participants in Either Arm

An AE was any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE could therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a pre-existing condition temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product was also an AE. Per protocol, MedDRA preferred terms Neoplasm progression, Malignant neoplasm progression and Disease progression not related to the study intervention are excluded. Per protocol, the number of participants who experienced an AE was reported by treatment arm for all participants (TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression) as part of the pre-specified safety analysis at study completion (Final AE collection cut-off date of 14-Oct-2022).

Time frame: Up to approximately 66 months

Population: All randomized participants who received at least one dose of study treatment.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PembrolizumabNumber of Participants Who Experienced an AE That Was Experienced by ≥10% of Participants in Either Arm206 Participants
DocetaxelNumber of Participants Who Experienced an AE That Was Experienced by ≥10% of Participants in Either Arm187 Participants
Secondary

Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors

ORR was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a Complete Response (CR: disappearance of all target lesions) or a Partial Response (PR: ≥30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. as assessed by BICR. Per protocol, the percentage of participants who experienced CR or PR is reported here as the ORR for participants in the TPS ≥50% stratum of PD-L1 expression.

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PembrolizumabObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors28.1 Percentage of Participants
DocetaxelObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥50%) Tumors7.1 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: ORR was not formally tested. Treatment comparison was based on the Miettinen \& Nurminen method. A nominal one-sided p-value for testing was calculated.p-value: <0.000195% CI: [11.5, 30.7]Miettinen & Nurminen Method
Secondary

ORR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)

ORR was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or a PR (≥30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. as assessed by BICR. Per protocol, the percentage of participants who experienced CR or PR is reported here as the ORR for participants in the TPS ≥1% stratum of PD-L1 expression (all participants).

Time frame: Up to approximately 36 months (through Final Analysis cut-off date of 09-Sep-2019)

Population: All randomized participants with PD-L1 TPS ≥1% (all participants).

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PembrolizumabORR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)20.7 Percentage of Participants
DocetaxelORR Per RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR in Participants With PD-L1 Positive (TPS ≥1%) Tumors (All Participants)5.7 Percentage of Participants
Comparison: ORR was not formally tested. Treatment comparison was based on Miettinen \& Nurminen method stratified by PD-L1 expression status (TPS\>=50% vs. TPS 1-49%). If no participants were in one of the treatment arms involved in a comparison for a particular stratum, then that stratum was excluded from the treatment comparison. A nominal one-sided p-value for testing was calculated.p-value: <0.000195% CI: [8.8, 21.6]Miettinen & Nurminen Method

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 9, 2026