Point taken Alexander. Keytruda is being trialled with everything including the kitchen sink. And clearly in some combos that don't include chemo, and in indications where ICI's are not approved.
Though I'm still ambivalent, at best, about DCVaxL being trialled with or without an ICI in GBM, because of the toxicity profile associated with PD-1/PDL-1 drugs, both due to HPD (hastens disease and death for 10-20% of all NSCLC patients for example) and because they can cause auto-immune dysfunction, which can affect any bodily system. At least in this instance, it is with or without ICI as neoadjuvant, and then with or without ICI as adjuvant. I would be sure that DCVaxL without ICI, both before and after surgery will prove safest. And I wouldn't be at all sure that DCVaxL with neoadjuvant ICI and/or adjuvant ICI will be any more effective than DCVaxL alone, despite the prelim study...
And we don't know if this proposed trial presages anything bigger.
It could be purely a case of Merck providing the Keytruda (if it is Pembro rather than Nivo) right through to a Merck/Moderna type arrangement with upfront cash and milestone agreements, or even a lock, stock and barrel buyout at $20b which would value the company at a modest multiple of 120 times what the 'market' currently values it at!
My guess (just a guess) is that it is nearer to being a simple supply of ICI drug, seeing as the trial is reported by LL to be SPORE-funded, rather than all expenses picked up by the BP involved.
And we have the precedent of a mooted rGBM trial with Nivo that has been due to start several times in the last couple of years...
If this latest proposal is actually going to commence 'this Summer', then we should see something listed on the Clinical Trials site any time now.
It's clearly a watch and wait scenario (unless one predicts big things and want to beat the market).
I don't assess people solely on typing errors by the way.
(Though it can sometimes be a predictive/prognostic indicator...)
And I also don't assess people, based on perceived weakness or strength!
