Onco-Summaries: Daily Oncology Updates at a Glance

13/08/2025

Merck's perioperative Keytruda regimen received approval in Canada for resectable HNSCC with PD-L1 CPS ≥1 (Ref)

Health Canada granted approval to Merck & Co./MSD's pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) mono as a neoadjuvant treatment, then continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with RT +/- cisplatin and then as monotherapy for adult patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC with PD-L1 CPS ≥1.

• The approval is based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial in which the perioperative regimen achieved significant EFS benefit vs adjuvant RT +/- cisplatin

  
  

• André Galarneau, Executive Director & Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, Merck Canada: "We know that head and neck squamous cell carcinomas present significant treatment challenges because of their complexity. The introduction of a perioperative anti-PD-1 treatment option for eligible patients in Canada represents an important development with the potential to make a meaningful difference for patients and their families impacted by this disease."

Pilatus announced a clinical trial collaboration with Roche to evaluate PLT012 in combination with Tecentriq in HCC (Ref)

Pilatus Biosciences signed a clinical trial collaboration with Roche under which Roche will provide atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) to support Pilatus’ upcoming first-in-human Phase 1 trial of PLT012 (anti-CD36) + atezolizumab in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

• The initial trial will focus on HCC, with additional studies in other tumor types planned

  
  

• Raven Lin, CEO, Pilatus Biosciences: “We are pleased to collaborate with Roche as we explore the potential synergy between PLT012 and atezolizumab in patients with HCC. Current treatments, including checkpoint inhibitors as monotherapy, often fail to generate durable responses in liver cancer. PLT012’s ability to reshape the TME may enhance immune activation and unlock deeper, more sustained responses when administered in combination with anti-PD-L1 therapies such as atezolizumab.”