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The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Brisk walks could cut risk of death for colon cancer patients by more than a third, study finds
A structured exercise routine can reduce the risk of death for people with colon cancer by more than a third, a study has found. The results, unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference on Sunday, could transform how colon cancer is treated around the world, the researchers said. The scientists hope the findings will prompt healthcare providers to integrate exercise plans into routine cancer care. The CO21 CHALLENGE trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed 889 people with colon cancer across six countries, including the UK. It found that a structured exercise programme significantly reduced the likelihood of the disease returning and improved overall survival compared with standard advice. After five years, 80 per cent of patients who followed a tailored exercise regime were cancer-free, compared with 74 per cent of those who were offered just health education materials. This means the risk of dying, cancer coming back, or developing a new cancer was 28 per cent lower in the exercise group. After eight years, survival rates were 90 per cent in the exercise group compared to 83 per cent in the health education group, representing a 37 per cent lower risk of death. More than 31,000 people in the UK die from colon cancer every year, according to Cancer Research UK. The study was part-funded by Cancer Research UK's Stand Up To Cancer campaign and carried out in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG). The three-year programme saw patients supported by physical activity consultants, starting with weekly in-person sessions for the first six months and moving to monthly sessions either in person or online. Activities were tailored to the individual, from brisk walking to gym-based circuit training. Among the patients to benefit from the trial was Margaret Tubridy, 69, from North Belfast. Before her cancer diagnosis, she said she had never exercised. Now, five years on, she says she is lifting weights, pole walking and taking part in gym classes twice a week. "It's been almost five years since my cancer diagnosis and if I meet anyone, I tell them I am doing great,' she said. 'Taking part in the trial helped me so much – I am stronger, fitter, and my anxiety is better. I never thought at 69 years of age I would be able to do all of this – I am chuffed to bits.' Professor Vicky Coyle, UK lead researcher and clinical professor at Queen's University Belfast, said the study gives 'clear and encouraging' evidence that physical activity can reduce colon cancer mortality. 'We now need to work with policymakers and healthcare providers to embed exercise into treatment plans where appropriate,' she said. Cancer Research UK said the findings should act as a wake-up call for health services, adding it could 'transform clinical practice'. However, Caroline Geraghty, senior specialist information nurse at the charity, said this can only happen 'if health services have the necessary funding and staff to make it a reality for patients'. She added: "It's important to remember that every cancer journey is different – starting new activities after treatment can feel overwhelming, and it may not be the right option for everyone. Take things at your own pace and speak to your doctor to discuss what is safe for you.' The researchers said more work is needed to explore the biological mechanisms behind exercise's effect on cancer, but the evidence is already strong enough to prompt urgent action.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Health Canada Approves KEYTRUDA® Plus Pemetrexed and Platinum Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Adult Patients with Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM)
Approval is based on the results from the Phase 3 CCTG IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial KIRKLAND, QC, April 22, 2025 /CNW/ -- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today that Health Canada has approved KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The approval is based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial, which demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR) in patients randomized to KEYTRUDA® in combination with chemotherapy compared with patients randomized to chemotherapy alone. This pivotal trial was led by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute of Naples (NCIN) and the Intergroupe Francophone de Cancérologie Thoracique (IFCT). "This approval marks the first combination treatment of KEYTRUDA® and chemotherapy in Canada for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma," says Dr. Quincy Chu, Medical Oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute and Associate Professor at the University of Alberta. "This combination provides a new therapeutic option for this patient group, which has limited options available and may help improve health outcomes." "We're pleased to announce this first-line treatment option for adults with advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma, a condition that often has a challenging prognosis," says André Galarneau, PhD, Executive Director & Vice President, Oncology Business Unit at Merck Canada. "This is an important step for us within the mesothelioma space. It demonstrates the CCTG's leadership in advancing patient care and underscores our commitment to research for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers." About IND.227/KEYNOTE-483IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled Phase 2/3 trial ( NCT02784171). Merck provided pembrolizumab and support for the trial, which was also supported by grants to CCTG from the Canadian Cancer Society. The trial investigated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy versus pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic MPM and no prior systemic therapy for advanced/metastatic disease. The Phase 3 component of the trial enrolled 440 patients, regardless of tumour PD-L1 expression. Patients with autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within three years of treatment or a medical condition that required immunosuppression were ineligible. Patients were randomized (1:1) to one of the following treatment arms; all study medications were administered via intravenous infusion: Pembrolizumab 200 mg with pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC 5-6 mg/mL/min on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 6 cycles, followed by pembrolizumab 200 mg every three weeks. Pembrolizumab was administered prior to chemotherapy on Day 1. Pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC 5-6 mg/mL/min on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 6 cycles. Treatment with pembrolizumab continued until disease progression as determined by the investigator according to modified RECIST 1.1 for mesothelioma (mRECIST), unacceptable toxicity, or a maximum of 24 months. Assessment of tumour status was performed every 6 weeks for 18 weeks, followed by every 12 weeks thereafter. The primary efficacy outcome measure was overall survival (OS). Additional efficacy outcome measures were progression free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and duration of response (DoR), as assessed by BICR using mRECIST. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in OS, reducing the risk of death by 21% (Hazard Ratio (HR) =0.79 [95% CI, 0.64-0.98]; p=0.0162) compared to chemotherapy alone at the trial's pre-specified final analysis. Median OS was 17.3 months (95% CI, 14.4-21.3) for pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus 16.1 months (95% CI, 13.1-18.2) for chemotherapy alone. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy also demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus chemotherapy alone (HR=0.80 [95% CI, 0.65-0.99], p=0.0194. Median PFS was 7.1 months [95% CI, 6.9-8.1] for pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus 7.1 months [95% CI, 6.8-7.7] for chemotherapy alone. Based on an interim analysis, the overall response rate (ORR) was significantly higher for pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone (52% [95% CI, 45.5-59.0] versus 29% [95% CI, 23.0-35.4], respectively; p<0.00001). The most frequently reported adverse events (≥ 20% incidence) for pembrolizumab in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy were fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and stomatitis. For complete information, refer to the KEYTRUDA® product monograph. About malignant mesotheliomaMalignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that starts in the mesothelium, a lining that covers most internal organs, including the lungs, heart and stomach. The most recent incidence statistics from 2019 indicated that 460 Canadians were diagnosed with mesothelioma that year. The most recent mortality statistics from 2022 indicated that 472 Canadians died from mesothelioma that year. Pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs, is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma. The 5-year net survival for Canadians diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer is estimated to be 7%. About KEYTRUDA®KEYTRUDA® is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy that works by helping increase the ability of the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumour cells. KEYTRUDA® is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumour cells and healthy cells. KEYTRUDA® was first approved in Canada in 2015 and currently has indications in several disease areas, including advanced renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. About MerckAt Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable, and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit and connect with us on LinkedIn @MerckCanada. Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USAThis news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site ( ® Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Used under license.© 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. CA-NON-04015 Media Contacts: Merck Canada Media Relations 1-833-906-3725 mediacanada@ SOURCE Merck View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
