This is a phase 3 study of pembrolizumab in combination with carboplatin/taxane (paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) followed by pembrolizumab with or without maintenance sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT; MK-2870) in first-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer. It is hypothesized that pembrolizumab with maintenance sacituzumab tirumotecan is superior to pembrolizumab without sacituzumab tirumotecan maintenance with respect to overall survival (OS).
Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [Stage IV: M1a, M1b, M1c, American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, version 8]
Measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) 1.1 as assessed by the local site investigator/radiology
Has life expectancy ≥3 months
Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score of 0 or 1 assessed within 7 days prior to allocation
Diagnosis of small cell lung cancer or, for mixed tumors, presence of small cell elements
History of documented severe dry eye syndrome, severe Meibomian gland disease and/or blepharitis, or severe corneal disease that prevents/delays corneal healing
Active inflammatory bowel disease requiring immunosuppressive medication or previous history of inflammatory bowel disease (eg, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or chronic diarrhea)
Has uncontrolled, significant cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease including New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled symptomatic arrhythmia, prolongation of QTcF interval to >480 ms, and other serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases within 6 months before study intervention