By Colin Kellaher

 

Merck & Co. on Friday said the European Commission approved the expanded use of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda for certain patients with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

The Kenilworth, N.J., drugmaker said Keytruda is now approved as monotherapy for the treatment of people ages 12 and older with stage IIB or IIC melanoma and who have undergone complete resection.

Merck said the commission also approved expanding the indications for Keytruda in advanced melanoma and stage III melanoma, as adjuvant treatment following complete resection, to include adolescent patients ages 12 and up.

Keytruda, a cancer drug that harnesses a patient's immune system to fight tumors, is approved in dozens of indications around the world. Sales of the drug topped $17 billion last year.

 

Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 24, 2022 07:14 ET (11:14 GMT)

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