Phase 3 data slated for ASCO have reinforced the growing competitive push to upgrade frontline treatment for PD-L1–positive NSCLC beyond Keytruda alone. In China’s OptiTROP-Lung05, Merck and Kelun-Biotech’s sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) plus Keytruda cut the risk of disease progression or death by 65% versus Keytruda. In the abstract released ahead of ASCO 2026, the trial reported a markedly improved progression-free survival compared with control, with median PFS not reached in the combination arm versus 5.7 months for Keytruda alone at the reported follow-up. Key overall survival results were not mature at the data cutoff. Analysts framed the readout as an early proof point for an ADC–immunotherapy combination in a high-value setting, while awaiting later OS maturity and cross-trial comparisons as other bispecifics and ADC strategies continue to advance.