An open-label, multicohort Phase Ib trial of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) for advanced hematologic malignancies: KEYNOTE-013

Background Tumors, including hematologic malignancies, can use the PD-1 pathway to evade immune surveillance. Pembrolizumab, a highly selective, humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks interaction of PD-1 with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, has demonstrated robust antitumor activity and a manageable toxicity profile in advanced solid tumors. In earlier data, pembrolizumab demonstrated efficacy in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)[1]. KEYNOTE-013 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01953692) is a multicenter, nonrandomized, open-label, multicohort Phase Ib trial designed to assess safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with hematologic malignancies.