Could a cheaper keytruda copy work for lung cancer?

NCT ID NCT06268613

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial compares a biosimilar drug (SB27) to the standard cancer immunotherapy Keytruda in 163 people with stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer who have already had surgery and chemotherapy. The main goal is to see if the body processes SB27 the same way as Keytruda. If successful, SB27 could become a more affordable alternative.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: pembrolizumab (a biosimilar version of Keytruda)
What this could lead to: If SB27 works like Keytruda, it could offer a more affordable treatment option for early-stage lung cancer after surgery.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 1 trial focused on drug levels in the blood, not yet on long-term outcomes. The biosimilar may not prove equally effective or safe.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER STAGE II NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER STAGE IIIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

SB Investigative Site

Gdansk, Poland
SB Investigative Site

Otwock, Poland
SB Investigative Site

Ansan, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Busan, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Daegu, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Hwasun, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Incheon, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Jinju, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Seongnam, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Ulsan, South Korea
SB Investigative Site

Jaén, Jaén, Spain
SB Investigative Site

A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
SB Investigative Site

Málaga, Spain
SB Investigative Site

Adana, Turkey (Türkiye)
SB Investigative Site

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
SB Investigative Site

Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)
SB Investigative Site 1

Suwon, South Korea
SB Investigative Site 1

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
SB Investigative Site 2

Suwon, South Korea
SB Investigative Site 2

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
SB Investigative Site 3

Seoul, South Korea
SB Investigative Site 4

Seoul, South Korea
SB Investigative Site 5

Seoul, South Korea
SB Investigative Site 6

Seoul, South Korea

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.