1. \u200cIndications and Usage\u200c
\nMelanoma\u200c: Treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Also indicated for adjuvant treatment in adult and pediatric patients (12 years and older) with IIB, IIC, or III melanoma after complete resection.
\nNon-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)\u200c:
\nFirst-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC with PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) \u22651%, without EGFR or ALK genomic aberrations.
\nUsed in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for metastatic non-squamous NSCLC.
\nWith carboplatin and paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel for squamous NSCLC.
\nHead and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)\u200c: For recurrent or metastatic disease, either as monotherapy (if PD-L1 CPS \u22651) or in combination with platinum and 5-FU.
\nClassical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL)\u200c: For adult and pediatric patients with refractory disease or those who have relapsed after 2 or more prior therapies.
\nUrothelial Carcinoma\u200c: For locally advanced or metastatic cases that are ineligible for platinum-containing chemotherapy or have progressed after such therapy.
\nMSI-H or dMMR Tumors\u200c: For unresectable or metastatic solid tumors with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency, including colorectal cancer.
\nAdditional Approved Indications\u200c: Include gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and endometrial cancer (in combination with lenvatinib), among others.
\n2. \u200cDosage and Administration\u200c
\nAdults\u200c:
\n200 mg every 3 weeks\u200c as an intravenous infusion over at least 30 minutes.
\nAlternatively, \u200c2 mg\/kg every 3 weeks\u200c for certain indications.
\nPediatric Patients (\u226512 years)\u200c: Dosed at \u200c2 mg\/kg (up to a maximum of 200 mg)\u200c every 3 weeks.
\nThe drug should be administered using a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low-protein-binding in-line filter (0.2\u20135 \u03bcm).
\n3. \u200cMechanism of Action\u200c<\/p>\n
Keytruda binds to the PD-1 receptor on T cells, blocking its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands. This inhibition enhances T-cell activation and enables the immune system to detect and destroy tumor cells.<\/p>\n
4. \u200cSafety and Warnings\u200c
\nImmune-Mediated Adverse Reactions\u200c:
\nPneumonitis\u200c: Monitor for pulmonary symptoms; use corticosteroids for Grade 2 or higher.
\nColitis\u200c: Evaluate for diarrhea; manage with steroids and withhold or discontinue based on severity.
\nHepatitis\u200c: Monitor liver enzymes; initiate corticosteroids if AST\/ALT >3\u00d7ULN or total bilirubin >1.5\u00d7ULN.
\nEndocrinopathies\u200c: Includes thyroid disorders, adrenal insufficiency, hypophysitis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Hormone replacement may be required.
\nNephritis and Renal Dysfunction\u200c: Monitor creatinine; use corticosteroids and consider holding or discontinuing therapy.
\nInfusion-Related Reactions\u200c: Severe reactions require immediate discontinuation.
\nTransplant Rejection Risk\u200c: May increase risk of solid organ transplant rejection or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) post-allogeneic HSCT.
\nEmbryofetal Toxicity\u200c: Can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women of the risk.
\n5. \u200cAdverse Reactions\u200c<\/p>\n
Common adverse reactions (\u226520%) include:<\/p>\n
Fatigue
\nPruritus
\nDiarrhea
\nDecreased appetite
\nRash
\nNausea
\nCough
\nDyspnea
\nMusculoskeletal pain
\nConstipation<\/p>\n
In combination with chemotherapy, additional common side effects include anemia (55%), neutropenia (36%), and alopecia (35%).<\/p>\n
6. \u200cDrug Interactions\u200c<\/p>\n
No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted. However, due to its mechanism, caution is advised when combining with other immunostimulatory agents or immunosuppressants.<\/p>\n
7. \u200cPatient Selection\u200c<\/p>\n
Use FDA-approved companion diagnostics to assess PD-L1 expression for certain indications (e.g., NSCLC, HNSCC). Testing information is available at: FDA Companion Diagnostics.<\/p>\n
8. \u200cPharmaceutical Information\u200c
\nFormulation\u200c: Lyophilized powder or solution for injection.
\nPackaging\u200c: Available in single-use vials of 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg strengths.
\nStorage\u200c: Store refrigerated at 2\u00b0C to 8\u00b0C (36\u00b0F to 46\u00b0F). Protect from light.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Formulation\u200c: Lyophilized powder or solution for injection.
\nPackaging\u200c: Available in single-use vials of 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg strengths.
\nStorage\u200c: Store refrigerated at 2\u00b0C to 8\u00b0C (36\u00b0F to 46\u00b0F). Protect from light.
\nPackager: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
\nMarketing Status: Biologic Licensing Application
\nPrice&Cost: Contact Us now for the best price of Pembrolizumab(Keytruda) <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[78],"product_cat":[25],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-2732","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_brand-merck","product_cat-injection","first","instock","shipping-taxable","product-type-simple"],"yoast_head":"\n