Key clinical point: Pembrolizumab added to chemotherapy increases pathologic complete response rates in patients with triple-negative breast cancer over chemo alone.

Major finding: The pCR rates were 64.8% with chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab and 51.2% with chemotherapy plus placebo.

Study details: Analysis of 602 patients with triple-negative breast cancer in a phase 3 randomized controlled trial.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme. Dr. Schmid reported advising/consulting for and receiving honoraria from Merck. Dr. Kalinsky has disclosed that he receives salary from Array Biopharma, received fees from various companies (not including Merck), and contracted research with multiple companies, not including Merck.