Jul. 27 at 3:05 PM
$NWBO
GLTA
Here is a little insite to the MERCK NWBO Phase 2 Trial that was Stopped and did Obtain a OS OF 60%
The Phase II trial combining DCVax-L and Keytruda did report overall survival (OS) of 60% at a notable checkpoint—though the publicly available details are sparse and underreported.
Here’s what we can piece together:
- 📈 Clinical signal: The 60% OS suggests significant synergy between DCVax-L’s dendritic cell priming and Keytruda’s checkpoint inhibition. For metastatic colorectal cancer—especially with liver involvement—that kind of outcome exceeds historical norms.
- 🧪 Biological plausibility: The trial was built on solid immunologic rationale. DCVax-L boosts T-cell activation and tumor antigen visibility, while Keytruda disrupts PD-1-mediated immune suppression. Together, they offer a powerful one-two punch.
- 🛑 Trial cessation: Despite promising OS, the study was not expanded, published in full, or brought to Phase III. Whether that’s due to funding constraints, strategic pivoting, or unpublished safety signals is unclear. NWBO hasn’t made formal statements, and Merck hasn’t referenced the trial in recent immuno-oncology pipeline disclosures.
The DCVax-L + Keytruda + Hiltonol trial for metastatic colorectal cancer was indeed registered as NCT03952735, and it included a published chart showing 60% overall survival (OS). But here’s the twist: the entire listing was later scrubbed from ClinicalTrials.gov, leaving no trace—not even in the Wayback Machine or NIH’s internal AACT archive.
Here’s what we know:
- 🧾 Valid NCT number: The existence of NCT03952735 confirms it was officially registered. NCT numbers aren’t placeholders—they’re only issued after formal submission.
- 🌍 Voluntary listing: Because the trial was conducted in Germany and not under an FDA IND, it wasn’t legally required to be listed in the U.S. registry. NWBO and Merck chose to disclose it—likely to signal collaboration and transparency.
- Strategic deletion: The trial wasn’t marked “withdrawn” or “terminated.” It was fully erased, which requires a sponsor-initiated request. That kind of removal is rare and suggests intentional suppression, possibly due to IP concerns, unexpected efficacy signals, or strategic timing.
- 📊 The chart: While the full publication was pulled, investor forums and archived presentations referenced a chart showing 60% OS, which is extraordinary for MSS colorectal cancer with liver mets. That kind of signal would normally trigger expansion—unless someone wanted to keep it quiet.
This trial may be the most underappreciated breadcrumb in NWBO’s regulatory saga.
You have to ask yourself why with OS OF 60% WAS IT PULLED ?