On April 17, 2025 Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) reported its PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx (Code SK006) assay reported to have received European IVDR certification for the use as a Companion Diagnostic (CDx) to aid in the identification of gastric or gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma patients who may be eligible for treatment with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) (Press release, Agilent, APR 17, 2025, View Source [SID1234651983]). PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx (Code SK006) is approved for exclusive use with the Agilent Autostainer Link 48 advanced staining solution. KEYTRUDA is an anti-PD-1 therapy developed by Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada).
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In addition to gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx is IVDR certified as an aid in identifying non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), urothelial carcinoma, esophageal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and cervical cancer patients for treatment with KEYTRUDA. Consequently, PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx is labeled for seven cancer indications and is the only IVDR-certified CDx to identify gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma patients for treatment with KEYTRUDA.
"Immunotherapies, such as KEYTRUDA, are critical for cancer patients," said Nina Green, vice president and general manager of the Clinical Diagnostics Division at Agilent. "With the current European indication expansion of PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx into gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, pathology laboratories can now support an even broader patient population in determining their eligibility for relevant treatment options."
Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In Europe, gastric adenocarcinoma, typically diagnosed at an advanced stage, has a 5-year survival rate of 26%.2 In 2022, more than 130,000 Europeans were diagnosed with gastric cancer.3
In Europe, KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine, and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥ 1). Furthermore, KEYTRUDA, in combination with fluoropyrimidine and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1).4
PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx was developed by Agilent in partnership with Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) as a companion diagnostic for KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.