What is Keytruda?
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an FDA-approved immunotherapy medication used to treat various types of cancer. It belongs to a class of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors and works by blocking the PD-1 receptor, which cancer cells use to evade immune system detection. By inhibiting this pathway, Keytruda enhances the body’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Keytruda is used to treat multiple cancers, including:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Melanoma
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
- Urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer)
- Cervical cancer
- Certain colorectal cancers