Sac-TMT Beats Chemo on Survival in Endometrial Cancer, a First for a TROP2 ADC
- In the Phase 3 TroFuse-005 trial (about 776 patients), the TROP2 ADC sac-TMT from Merck and Kelun-Biotech outperformed chemotherapy in previously treated advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
- Median overall survival reached 19.0 versus 12.1 months, and progression-free survival 7.2 versus 3.9 months.
- Severe treatment-related adverse events were more common with the ADC (54.4% vs 41.4%). The FDA has granted priority review.
💡 Points
A 6.9-month overall survival gain over chemotherapy is a strong result in a TROP2 field where Gilead and Daiichi Sankyo/AstraZeneca already compete, and it gives sac-TMT randomized survival data to lean on. The 13-point gap in severe adverse events will shape its positioning. For Merck, it shows a China-originated ADC moving toward the center of its oncology pipeline.
ESMO 2026: Merck’s Kelun-partnered ADC cuts death risk by over 30% in endometrial cancer ↗