Study summary

Pembrolizumab after surgery improved survival

KEYNOTE-564 survival · Phase 3, double-blind · Published April 2024, New England Journal of Medicine

91.2%alive at 4 years with pembrolizumab, vs 86.0%

What was tested

Pembrolizumab against placebo for about a year after kidney removal for clear cell kidney cancer at increased risk of recurrence.

What they found

91.2% were alive at 4 years vs 86.0%.
Fewer people relapsed (hazard ratio 0.72).

What it means

The first treatment after kidney surgery proven to extend life.

N Engl J Med, via PubMed ↗ ← Back to the outlook

Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.