 indications, dose, side effects (2).webp)
Keytruda is the brand name of Pembrolizumab. It is a highly specific targeted monoclonal antibody drug that targets T-lymphocytes positive for PD-L1 receptors.
PD receptors are "Programmed Death" receptors. Ligands bind to these PD receptors and activate them. Keytruda inhibits the activation of PD-positive T-cells and hence it is a PD-L1 inhibitor.
The inhibition of PD-L1 and its subsequent activation stops immune dysregulation and signal activation. Thus, Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) suppresses the T-cells induced immune dysregulation and tumor response in PD-L1 positive cancer cells.
Keytruda is widely used in the treatment of various cancers especially those that are not responsive to first-line, second-line, or even third-line chemotherapeutic drugs. It may provide a clinically meaningful response in patients who are struggling for their lives.
Here is a list of the cancers where Keytruda use may be effective:
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) Use in Various Cancers |
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Cervical Cancer |
PD-L1 Positive Metastatic or recurrent Cervical Cancer |
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Esophageal Cancer |
PD-L1 Positive recurrent, advanced, or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus |
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Gastric Cancer |
PD-L1 Positive recurrent, advanced, or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma |
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Cancer of the head and neck |
As a 1st line treatment of:
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Advanced Liver Cancer |
Treatment of HCC in patients who have previously received Sorafenib. |
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Relapsed or refractory Classical Hodgkins lymphoma |
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Melanoma |
Treatment of unresectable or lymphnode-positive melanoma |
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Merkel Cell Carcinoma |
Recurrent or locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma |
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Microsatellite Instability High Cancer |
Unresectable or Metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient solid tumors. |
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Colon Cancer |
Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer |
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Non-small cell lung cancer |
Stage III NSCLC patients who can not undergo surgical resection Patients with PD-L1 positive metastatic NSCLC without EGFR receptor positivity |
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Mediastinal Large B Cell lymphoma |
Patients with refractory or relapsed PMBCL (primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma) |
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Renal cell Carcinoma |
Advanced renal cell carcinoma with Axitinib |
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Small Cell Lung Cancer |
Treatment of advanced or metastatic small cell lung cancer |
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Urothelial Cancer |
In patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who can not receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy and are PD-L1 positive. |
Keytruda in Pakistan:
Keytruda is only available as a generic drug. It is too costly and adds to the financial burden of people who are struggling for life. Since it is not a registered drug in Pakistan, it is not available in pharmacies.
The government needs to make these drugs available to relieve or ease the patients' miseries. Patients in Pakistan arrange it by importing it from neighboring countries.
Read all the details about Keytruda here: Keytruda FDA Prescribing Information
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