Pembrolizumab
KEYTRUDA
What it isPD-1 blocking antibody releasing T-cell inhibition; melanoma, lung cancer and many tumors with high PD-L1 or MSI.
Why this oneIt pioneered tumor-agnostic immunotherapy for MSI-high cancers and now carries an exceptionally broad oncology label.
What limits itImmune-related adverse events can hit any organ — thyroid, colon, liver, lung, pituitary — and are treated with steroids, not by stopping alone.
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid tumors and lymphomas (multiple approved indications) | adults | 200 mg IV every 3 weeks or 400 mg IV every 6 weeks | 200 mg Q3W or 400 mg Q6W | 400 mg Q6W |
| Pediatric-approved indications (e.g., melanoma, cHL, PMBCL, MCC, MSI-H/dMMR, TMB-H) | pediatric | 2 mg/kg (up to 200 mg) IV every 3 weeks | 2 mg/kg (up to 200 mg) Q3W | 200 mg per dose |
Renal Undefined
Hepatic Undefined
Regimen and combination partners vary by indication (see full prescribing information).
Instructions
- Administer as an IV infusion over 30 minutes after dilution.
- Select patients per FDA-authorized tests where required (e.g., PD-L1 expression).
- Withhold or permanently discontinue based on severity/type of immune-mediated reaction.
Cautions
- Severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions (pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection)
- Infusion-related reactions
- Complications of allogeneic HSCT
- Increased mortality with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade plus thalidomide analogue and dexamethasone in multiple myeloma
- Embryo-fetal toxicity
Adverse reactions
- Fatigue
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Pyrexia
- Cough
- Decreased appetite
- Pruritus
- Dyspnea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Hypothyroidism
Pregnancy Can cause fetal harm based on mechanism of action; advise of risk to a fetus.
Lactation No data on presence in milk; do not breastfeed during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Principal riskImmune-related adverse events in any organ
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Mechanism of action: Pembrolizumab ballicule
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Memory aids: mascots and interaction avatars
