Keytruda cancer treatment
Keytruda cancer treatment is a prescription immunotherapy drug used primarily to treat various forms of cancer. It belongs to a class of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, and its active ingredient is pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody that enhances the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. keytruda pembrolizumab injection price, Keytruda cancer immunotherapy, Keytruda melanoma treatment, Keytruda lung cancer treatment
Mechanism of Action
Keytruda targets and blocks PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1), a protein found on T-cells.
Cancer cells often produce PD-L1, which binds to PD-1 to deactivate T-cells and evade immune detection.
By blocking this interaction, Keytruda reactivates T-cells, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells.
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Approved Indications (as of 2024)
Keytruda is FDA-approved for the treatment of multiple cancers, including:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
First-line treatment for advanced/metastatic NSCLC with high PD-L1 expression
Melanoma
Advanced melanoma
Adjuvant treatment after surgical removal
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Hodgkin Lymphoma Keytruda cancer treatment
Relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL)
Bladder Cancer (Urothelial Carcinoma)
Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer)
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Colorectal Cancer
Keytruda cancer immunotherapy
Especially with MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high) or dMMR (mismatch repair-deficient) tumors
Cervical Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Gastric Cancer
Any Solid Tumor
With high tumor mutational burden (TMB-H) or MSI-H/dMMR – a tumor-agnostic approval
Dosage & Administration
Form: Intravenous (IV) infusion
Strength: 100 mg per vial (powder or solution)
Standard Dosage:
200 mg every 3 weeks, OR
400 mg every 6 weeks (depending on cancer type)
Infusion over 30 minutes
Side Effects
Keytruda cancer treatment
Common side effects:
Fatigue
Rash
Nausea
Itching
Diarrhea
Decreased appetite
Serious immune-mediated side effects:
Pneumonitis
Colitis
Hepatitis
Nephritis
Endocrinopathies (thyroid, adrenal, pituitary disorders)
Type 1 diabetes
Note: Prompt treatment with corticosteroids may be required for immune-related adverse events.
PD-L1 Testing
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Some indications require PD-L1 expression testing to qualify for treatment
The higher the PD-L1 expression, the more likely the patient is to benefit from Keytruda
Combination Therapy
Keytruda is often used:
Alone (monotherapy) for high PD-L1 tumors
In combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or other immunotherapies
Duration of Therapy
Continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
Some patients receive it for up to 2 years, depending on response and clinical guidance
Contraindications Keytruda cancer treatment
Known hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab
Use in pregnancy is not recommended
Immunocompromised individuals should be closely monitored
Cost
Expensive (can cost $10,000–$15,000+ per dose)
Often covered by insurance, patient assistance programs, or pharmaceutical aid
Storage
Store refrigerated (2°C–8°C / 36°F–46°F)
Do not freeze or shake
Keytruda melanoma treatment
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor |
| Target | PD-1 (Programmed Death Receptor-1) |
| Route of Admin. | IV Infusion |
| Common Use | Lung, Skin, Bladder, Breast, Colorectal Cancers |
| Side Effects | Fatigue, Diarrhea, Autoimmune Reactions |
| Approved For | Adults & children with specific tumors |
Keytruda cancer treatment
Keytruda, is a humanized antibody used in cancer immunotherapy that treats melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, and certain types of breast cancer. It is given by slow injection into a vein.
Common side effects include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, itchy skin (pruritus), diarrhea, nausea, rash, fever (pyrexia), cough, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), constipation, pain, and abdominal pain. It is an IgG4 isotype antibody that blocks a protective mechanism of cancer cells and thereby, allows the immune system to destroy them.
It targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor of lymphocytes. It works by targeting the cellular pathway of proteins found on the body’s immune cells and some cancer cells, known as PD-1/PD-L1.
Pembrolizumab was approved for medical use in the United States in 2014. In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for any unresectable or metastatic solid tumor with certain genetic anomalies (mismatch repair deficiency or microsatellite instability). It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essentia
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