NEOPRISM-CRC vs KEYNOTE Trials in Colorectal Cancer (2026)
1. Core similarity: same drug, different strategy Both programs use: Pembrolizumab (anti–PD-1 immunotherapy) In MSI-high / dMMR colorectal cancer Aiming to harness immune system tumor control But they differ in a crucial way: KEYNOTE = mostly advanced/metastatic or adjuvant settings NEOPRISM = true neoadjuvant “pre-surgery immune priming” strategy. 2. KEYNOTE colorectal program (what it established) 🔹 KEYNOTE-177 (landmark trial) KEYNOTE-177 Trial Population: Metastatic MSI-high / dMMR colorectal cancer Design: Pembrolizumab vs chemotherapy Key results: Progression-free survival: ~16 vs ~8 months Higher response durability Lower toxicity than chemo Key limitation: Majority of patients still have disease progression over time Not designed for “curative intent” 👉 Bottom line: KEYNOTE-177 established pembrolizumab as first-line metastatic standard , not a cure strategy. 🔹 KEYNOTE-016 / 164 / 158 (earlier proof-of-concept) KEYNOTE-016 Trial Showed high response rates (~30–40%+ durable r...