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Study reference · NCT02142738

KEYNOTE-024

Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy: five-year follow-up

Fixed release · explorer-2026-09-11

At five years, estimated overall survival was 31.9% with pembrolizumab and 16.3% with chemotherapy in this trial.

Estimated survival at 5 years

Overall survival · percentage alive in each trial group

Pembrolizumab31.9%

Study group: 154 participants · 95% confidence interval 24.5%–39.5%

Platinum chemotherapy16.3%

Study group: 151 participants · 95% confidence interval 10.6%–23%

The small black line shows uncertainty (95% confidence interval), where available. These estimates describe study groups, not an individual’s chance of survival.

Overall-survival hazard ratio: 0.62 (95% CI 0.48–0.81), pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy.

Grade 3–5 treatment-related adverse events

Five-year report. Lower percentages mean fewer reported severe events.

Pembrolizumab31.2%

See the safety population below.

Platinum chemotherapy53.3%

See the safety population below.

154 pembrolizumab; 150 chemotherapy participants in the safety analysis.

Put the research in context

Who was studied?

Compare the reported population with what you know. It is fine to be unsure—those are useful questions for your care team.

Read the original sources →
Previously untreated metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), PD-L1 tumor proportion score at least 50%, without sensitizing EGFR or ALK alterations.
Participants had ECOG performance status 0–1.
Untreated brain metastases and active autoimmune disease needing systemic treatment were excluded.

These are reported population details, not a complete list of eligibility criteria. Who could enroll, who participated, and whose results were analyzed can differ. This checklist does not score your match, recommend treatment, or determine trial eligibility.

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Study design & endpoints

Open-label, randomized phase 3 trial; 305 participants.

Primary: progression-free survival. Overall survival was a secondary endpoint.

What the chart cannot tell you

  • 66% of the chemotherapy group effectively crossed over to later PD-1 or PD-L1 therapy. This affects interpretation of the comparison.
  • The results describe trial participants who met these eligibility criteria, not every person with lung cancer.

Results are group estimates, not a personalized forecast, treatment recommendation, or confirmation of trial eligibility.

Full results table
KEYNOTE-024: results as recorded in this release
GroupEfficacy nMedian overall survival, months (CI)Survival at 5 years (95% CI)Severe events
Pembrolizumab15426.3 (18.3–40.4)31.9% (24.5–39.5%)31.2%
Platinum chemotherapy15113.4 (9.4–18.3)16.3% (10.6–23%)53.3%

Grade 3–5 treatment-related adverse events. 154 pembrolizumab; 150 chemotherapy participants in the safety analysis.

Median survival is a time point, not average lifespan. Confidence levels and analysis details are reported with the source.

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