Keytruda

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immunotherapy medication that may be used to treat at least 19 different types of cancer such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC), classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, endometrial carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and some colorectal cancers.

Keytruda may be used alone or together with other medicines, including chemotherapy, depending on the specific type of cancer.

Keytruda’s mechanism of action involves blocking the PD-1 protein on T cells, preventing its interaction with PD-L1 on cancer cells. This inhibition “takes the brakes off” the immune system, allowing T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. By enhancing the body’s natural defenses, Keytruda enables a targeted immune response against tumors. Keytruda belongs to the drug class called immune checkpoint inhibitors and may also be called a monoclonal antibody.

Keytruda first gained FDA approval on September 4, 2014, for advanced melanoma. Since then, Keytruda has been approved for at least 18 different types of cancer.