New immunotherapy drug shows promise against lung cancer in major trial
NCT ID NCT02220894
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This large phase 3 trial tested whether the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) could help people with a specific type of advanced lung cancer live longer than standard chemotherapy. Over 1,200 participants with PD-L1 positive non-small cell lung cancer were randomly assigned to receive either pembrolizumab or a platinum-based chemo combination. The main goal was to see if pembrolizumab improved overall survival.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that pembrolizumab alone works better than standard chemotherapy for people with PD-L1 positive advanced lung cancer, potentially offering a more targeted treatment option.
What could go wrong
This trial is completed, but results may not apply to all lung cancer patients. Pembrolizumab can cause immune-related side effects, and not all participants may benefit equally.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.