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Merkel-cell carcinoma is a rare skin cancer associated with the Merkel-cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), immune suppressed states, and ultraviolet irradiation. Therapy for patients with advanced disease consists of chemotherapy, which can induce a high response rate, albeit of very short duration and with little, if any, effect on long-term outcome.
Now, investigators have conducted an industry-funded, multicenter, single-group, non-controlled, phase II study to test the efficacy and safety of the anti–PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab (2 mg/kg every 3 weeks) in patients with advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma.
Of 25 evaluable patients, 14 (56%) had an objective response (the primary endpoint; 4 had a complete response, and 10 had a partial response); most re…