Pembrolizumab Does Not Prevent Postoperative Recurrence of Liver Cancer

In July 2025, Merck informed investigators that the study had failed to meet its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival (RFS). The study was terminated, and patients were unblinded. At this year’s ASCO GI Annual Meeting, the primary results of the study were presented.

KEYNOTE-937 was a global, multicenter, placebo-controlled Phase III study that enrolled a total of 959 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had undergone surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation but were considered at high risk of recurrence. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either pembrolizumab or placebo as adjuvant therapy for 12 months after surgery.

At the third interim analysis, with a median follow-up of 50.7 months, pembrolizumab failed to improve recurrence-free survival (RFS). The median RFS was 46.7 months with pembrolizumab versus 45.5 months with placebo (HR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.88–1.26, P = 0.719). The 4-year RFS rate was 50% in both groups. The results were negative. Although this outcome was somewhat expected, it was surprising that there was not even a trend toward improvement in RFS. The median time to recurrence was 52.5 months and 50.1 months in the two groups, respectively.

In addition, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was not improved (HR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.77–1.24), with 4-year DMFS rates of 71% and 70%, respectively.

The median overall survival (OS) had not been reached in either group, and there was no observed trend toward improvement (HR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.81–1.43; nominal P = 0.704). The 4-year overall survival rates were 79% and 81%, respectively.

Regarding safety, Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 32% of patients receiving pembrolizumab and 22% of those receiving placebo. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

For patients with liver cancer who have undergone potentially curative surgical resection or ablation, PD-1 antibodies should not be continued after surgery for the purpose of preventing recurrence.

Support Resources for Cancer Patients and Caregivers.

Cancer is a difficult diagnosis that has an impact on both the patient and their loved ones. It can be extremely difficult to deal with cancer, both physically and emotionally. Fortunately, there are services available to help cancer patients and their carers get through this challenging journey. We'll look at a variety of resources for cancer patients and their caregivers in this blog.

Clinics and Centers for Cancer Treatment

Specialized facilities known as cancer treatment centers and clinics offer patients medical care, diagnostic services, and supporting care connected to cancer. These facilities provide all-encompassing cancer care and frequently have a team of physicians, nurses, and other medical experts that collaborate to create individualized treatment programs for patients. In order to assist patients and their loved ones in overcoming the emotional difficulties of cancer, cancer treatment facilities also provide support groups, survivorship programs, and counseling services.

Support Teams

Support groups provide members with a secure and caring setting where they can connect with others who are going through similar things. Cancer support groups can be held offline or online, and they are frequently led by medical professionals or cancer survivors. For patients and their carers, these groups can offer emotional support, psychoeducation, and practical coping mechanisms. A sense of community can be fostered and feelings of loneliness reduced by participating in support groups.

Web-based Resources

Cancer patients and their caregivers can now more easily access information, services, and support without having to leave their homes thanks to the Internet. For cancer patients and their caregivers, there are numerous internet tools accessible, including websites, blogs, and social media support groups. These sources can provide trustworthy information, consoling support, and useful advice for surviving cancer. internet therapy or virtual support groups are only two examples of the telehealth services offered by some internet providers.

 Psychology and Therapy

Cancer patients and their caregivers can express their feelings, worries, and fears in a private, secure setting through counseling and therapy. Counseling and counseling can assist patients and caregivers in more effectively navigating the emotional difficulties associated with cancer, such as stress, anxiety, and sadness. There are private practitioners who specialize in counseling related to cancer, as well as several cancer centers that offer counseling services to their patients.

 Legal and Financial Support

Financial hardship and legal troubles are frequently caused by cancer. Cancer sufferers and their families can get financial and legal support from a variety of organizations and programs. For instance, the Hope Lodge program of the American Cancer Society offers free housing to cancer patients and the people who are caring for them while they receive treatment away from home. Additionally, there are organizations that provide financial aid for cancer-related costs like medical bills and travel fees.

Conclusion

Experiencing cancer can be difficult, so it's important to have a network of resources at your disposal to support you. The many tools accessible to cancer patients and their carers include many more than the ones we've covered in this blog. It's crucial to investigate several resources and determine which suits your particular needs and preferences the best. Keep in mind that you're not fighting cancer alone and that there is support accessible to you.