What the trial was testing
The KEYNOTE-29 enrolled 295 patients with kidney cancer. The study was sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was an early-stage trial — researchers are still confirming safety and getting an early look at how well the treatment works. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
61% of patients with advanced melanoma saw their tumors shrink with this two-drug combination.
The Lancet. Oncology · 2017 · NCT02089685
These findings — that saw their tumors shrink with the combination treatment — were published in the The Lancet. Oncology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 295 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with kidney cancer, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was an early-stage study testing a dose combination. Both pembrolizumab and ipilimumab are FDA-approved for melanoma, and combination approaches are now standard treatment options. Talk to your oncologist about whether immunotherapy combinations are right for your specific situation.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open kidney cancer trials
CBCT Guided Markerless SBRT for Renal Cell Cancer
This study aims to improve the treatment of kidney tumors using radiotherapy, by investigating whether kidney cancer can be more effectively irradiated with the help of new imaging techniques
ORACLE: Observation of ResiduAl Cancer With Liquid Biopsy Evaluation
The purpose of ORACLE is to demonstrate the ability of a novel ctDNA assay developed by Guardant Health to detect recurrence in individuals treated for early-stage solid tumors. It is necessary that ctDNA test results are linked to clinical outcomes in order to demonstrate clinical validity for recurrence detection and explore its value in a healthcare environment subject to cost containment.