Keytruda is a brand name for pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug developed and marketed by Merck & Co. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 for the treatment of adva...
Keytruda is a prescription medicine used to treat certain types of cancer , including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, urothelial carcinoma, gastric cancer, cervical cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and a type of breast cancer called triple-negative breast cancer. It works by targeting and blocking a protein called PD-1, which is used by cancer cells to evade the body's immune system. By blocking PD-1, Keytruda allows the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Keytruda is categorized as a type of immunotherapy, which means it uses the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer. Specifically, Keytruda is a type of immune checkpoint inhibitor, which targets specific proteins to help the body's immune cells better recognize and attack cancer cells.
Like any medication, Keytruda can have side effects, including fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin rash, and changes in skin or hair color. More serious side effects may include immune-related reactions, such as inflammation of organs like the lungs, liver, or colon, and problems with the endocrine system. Patients should talk to their doctor about the potential benefits and risks of Keytruda treatment.
Since its approval in 2014, Keytruda has been used to treat a range of cancers and has been shown to be effective in both first-line and later-line treatments. Keytruda is often used in combination with other cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, to increase effectiveness.
In summary, Keytruda is an immunotherapy medication that targets a protein called PD-1 to help the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It has been approved to treat a range of cancers and has been shown to be effective in both first-line and later-line treatments. Patients should talk to their doctor about whether Keytruda is an appropriate treatment option for them.