From the Guidelines
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking the PD-1 protein, helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It is used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and several others. The mechanism of action involves blocking the "don't attack me" signals that cancer cells display, allowing the immune system to target them. According to the NCCN guidelines 1, pembrolizumab has been shown to improve response and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with chemotherapy or ipilimumab, and is associated with lower risk of adverse events. Key features of Keytruda include:
- It is given as an intravenous infusion, typically once every two or three weeks, depending on the specific treatment plan
- The dose is calculated based on body weight
- Treatment often continues as long as it's working and side effects are manageable
- It can cause side effects related to immune activity, including fatigue, rash, diarrhea, or inflammation in various organs, as seen in trials such as KEYNOTE-006 1. Regular check-ups with a doctor are important to monitor how a patient is responding to treatment and to address any side effects promptly.
From the FDA Drug Label
Pembrolizumab is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD 1)-blocking antibody Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG4 kappa antibody with an approximate molecular weight of 149 kDa. Binding of the PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, to the PD-1 receptor found on T cells, inhibits T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, releasing PD-1 pathway-mediated inhibition of the immune response, including the anti-tumor immune response.
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking the PD-1 receptor, preventing the binding of PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands, and releasing the PD-1 pathway-mediated inhibition of the immune response. This leads to the activation of T cells and an enhanced anti-tumor immune response. 2
From the Research
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) Overview
- Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is used to treat various types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) 3, 4, 5, 6.
Mechanism of Action
- Pembrolizumab works by blocking the PD-1 receptor, which helps to activate the immune system to fight cancer cells 4, 6.
- By inhibiting the PD-1 receptor, pembrolizumab increases the activity of T-cells, a type of immune cell that plays a key role in fighting cancer 4, 6.
- The drug has been shown to be effective in treating NSCLC, particularly in patients with high levels of PD-L1 expression in their tumors 4, 6.
Efficacy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Studies have demonstrated that pembrolizumab is effective in treating NSCLC, with improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy 4, 6.
- The drug has been shown to be effective in patients with high levels of PD-L1 expression in their tumors, with response rates ranging from 45.2% to 44.8% 4, 6.
- Pembrolizumab has also been shown to be effective in combination with radiotherapy, with improved response rates and overall survival compared to pembrolizumab alone 3, 5.
Real-World Evidence
- A nationwide cohort study in Norway found that pembrolizumab was effective in real-world clinical practice, with improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy 7.
- The study found that the survival benefit of pembrolizumab was similar to that observed in clinical trials, despite a lower median overall survival in clinical practice 7.