Sac-TMT plus Keytruda cuts lung cancer progression risk by 65% versus Keytruda alone in a China trial

Merck & Co./Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT)

At ASCO 2026, Kelun presented a China phase 3 in first-line lung cancer in which sac-TMT added to Keytruda cut the risk of progression or death by 65% compared with Keytruda alone after 10.5 months of follow-up. Analysts welcomed the safety but questioned whether the result will carry over to Merck's global trials, which use a tougher comparator.

• Median progression-free survival not reached on the combination vs 5.7 months on Keytruda alone.
• Benefit held in squamous and non-squamous disease and across PD-L1 levels; survival showed a favourable trend.
• The trial lacked a Keytruda-plus-chemotherapy control arm.