Amgen, Merck collaborate for two cancer immunotherapy trials

The initial phase-one study will combine Amgen’s Blincyto (blinatumomab) with Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to treat patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The companies will also study another Amgen drug, AMG 820, in combination with Keytruda in patients with advanced solid tumors, including non-small cell lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers.

Blincyto binds specifically to CD19 found on the surface of cells of B-lineage origin and CD3 expressed on the surface of T cells.

AMG 820 is an investigational human monoclonal antibody that targets the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor. It is designed to reduce tumor-associated macrophage function.

Keytruda increases the ability of the body’s immune system to help identify and fight tumor cells.

It blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, which results in the activation of T lymphocytes that could affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.

Amgen executive vice president of Research and Development Sean Harper said: "We look forward to learning more about potential new combination treatment options for Blincyto and AMG 820 in disease areas where there remains a high unmet need."

Image: Amgen headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California. Photo: courtesy of Coolcaesar.