Merck's Keytruda sets up Opdivo showdown with esophageal cancer victory

After archrival Opdivo from Bristol Myers Squibb posted a pair of esophageal cancer wins last week, Merck & Co.’s Keytruda is determined not to be left behind.

The New Jersey drugmaker Wednesday said a combination of its PD-1 blockbuster plus chemo had topped chemo at keeping cancer at bay and extending patients’ lives in a trial of those with previously untreated advanced or metastatic disease.