Pembrolizumab in patients from China with microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair deficient tumors: KEYNOTE-158

Aim: To evaluate pembrolizumab in patients of Chinese descent with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) tumors enrolled in KEYNOTE-158 (Cohort L). Methods: Patients with MSI-H/dMMR advanced tumors received pembrolizumab 200 mg IV Q3W. Primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary end points were duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: 24 patients were enrolled (20 were evaluable for efficacy). With median follow-up of 12.4 months, the ORR was 70%. DOR, PFS and OS were all not reached. A total of 19 (79%) patients had a treatment-related adverse event (AE; grade >= 3 in 4 [17%]), and 8 (33%) had an immune-mediated AE (grade >= 3 in (4 [17%]). Conclusion: Pembrolizumab provided meaningful and durable responses with manageable safety. These results are consistent with those reported for the global trial.