Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy as Perioperative Therapy in Locally Advanced Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: Final Analysis of the Randomized, Phase III KEYNOTE-585 Study.

The phase III KEYNOTE-585 trial evaluated neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in patients with previously untreated, locally advanced, resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer.

After nearly 5 years of follow-up:

• Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy showed a median overall survival of 71.8 months, compared to 55.7 months with chemotherapy alone (HR 0.86).
• It also improved event-free survival (HR 0.81).
• The combination maintained a similar safety profile, with grade ≥3 drug-related adverse events occurring in 65% versus 63% of patients.
• It did not compromise health-related quality of life.

These results reaffirm the efficacy and tolerability of perioperative pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in this patient population.