Merck and Gilead Sciences discontinued the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-D46/EVOKE-03 study.

The trial evaluated a combination of Keytruda and Trodelvy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

An independent data monitoring committee recommended the halt after results failed to reach statistical significance.

The study specifically targeted patients whose tumors highly express the PD-L1 protein.

The combination showed numerical improvement in progression-free survival but was unlikely to meet overall survival goals.

No new safety concerns were identified with the drug combination.