The FDA approved 4 additional cancers for treatment with Keytruda (2023)

Vadim Berezhnoi (MD)

General Practitioner, Medical Expert, Head of Medical Assistance Department.

reading time –10 mins

Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug that contains pembrolizumab. Currently, it is among the most promising methods of combating malignant neoplasms. The American Association of Clinical Oncologists states that Keytruda has achieved the highest patient survival rates in the history of cancer treatment. The Food and Drug Administration in the US is actively testing the drug. In 2020, the organization approved Keytruda for the treatment of 4 additional cancers. Find out more about the cancers that Keytruda can treat and the clinics where it is available in our article.

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F1CDx-Test ↓

Keytruda in colorectal cancer ↓

Keytruda in skin cancer ↓

Keytruda in solid tumors ↓

Keytruda in bladder cancer ↓

WHAT NEW CANCER METHODS HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT FOR TREATMENT WITH KEYTRUDA?

The year 2020 brought good news for cancer patients –die FDAKeytruda recognized as safe and effective for treating:

bladder cancer;

metastatic solid tumors in children and adults;

metastatic and recurrent flat cell skin cancer;

Stage 3-4 colon cancer with metastases.

In the summer of 2020, the FDA also approved the testing required to prescribe Keytruda. It is provided by the US-based companyFoundationOneCD. Laboratory analysis can reliably predict health risks for patients with solid tumors.

FOUNDATIONONE CDX GENETIC TEST TO DETERMINE INDICATIONS FOR KEYTRUDA

mutationsin certain genes are considered to be the main cause of cancer. Genetic testing for cancer markers is the most accurate way to learn about the evolution of oncology, even at stage 0 or 1. Multigene mutation analysis in "hot spots" checks the regions of genes where the most common changes that lead to cancer development occur .

The FoundationOne CDX method helps determine the presence of a solid tumor and indications for the immune drug Keytruda. The FDA has named F1CDx as the most comprehensive and detailed method for diagnosing solid tumors. It analyzes the smallest changes in324 Gene. The accuracy of the test is94,6%.

F1CDx is suitable for the diagnosis of all solid tumors, regardless of stage or organ. In order for oncologists to perform this test, the patient must undergo aBiopsy. During the procedure, the doctor takes a sample of the tumor tissue. The results of the biopsy are sent to an American laboratory for analysis. The patient receives the opinion of the doctortwo weeksafter taking the tissue sample.

Based on the test results, oncologists determine the stage of the oncological process and select methods of treatment. With this test, doctors can decide about thatPrescribing pembrolizumab.

Having a genetic test done before prescribing Keytruda is important because the drugis not suitable for everyone. In order for it to be effective and safe in humans, the PD-1 protein must be active. Otherwise, the drug can cause serious side effects. Before F1CDx was approved, the indication for immunotherapy was aGenetic test for the activity of the protein PD-1.

TREATMENT OF METASTATIC COLON CANCER WITH KEYTRUDA

Stage 4 colorectal cancer was considered an incurable disease. According to the American Cancer Society71 patients out of 100can live 5 years if metastases have spread to lymph nodes and the nearest organs. If metastases are found in remote areas of the body, the survival rate drops to 14%. These results were achieved with chemotherapy.

Keytruda showed the best effectiveness in clinical studies. The survival rate of patients with late-stage colorectal cancer who received pembrolizumabhas doubled. Therapy with this drug is less toxic to the body. Side effects of taking Keytruda in the treatment of colon cancer were fatigue, decreased appetite, diarrhea, cough, shortness of breath, in rare cases - inflammation of the organs.

Richard Pazdur, Director ofdas FDA Cancer Center of Excellencethe FDA Cancer Center of Excellence noted the importance of Keytruda's recommendation for cancer patients: "The decision to go non-chemotherapy for individual patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is a remarkable paradigm shift in oncology."

KEYTRUDA TREATMENT OF SKIN CANCER

Patients with melanoma receive the most favorable prognosis from doctors. More than 98% live to 5 years if the cancer is diagnosed at stages 1, 2 or 3. skin cancerbegins to metastasize6 weeks after the start of the cancer process. According to the American Cancer Society, 20% of stage 4 patients exceed the five-year survival threshold.

Stage 4 melanoma is usually treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Both treatments can cause unpleasant side effects or be ineffective in the presence of metastases in distant organs.

Keytruda combinedtwo advantages: It helps cure skin cancer that cannot be treated by other methods and is less toxic to the body. On average after pembrolizumab therapy34%of patients have a full recovery. This is a significant breakthrough compared to the results of conservative treatment.

KEYTRUDA THERAPY FOR BLADDER CANCER

Pembrolizumab can now be prescribed for treatmentnon muscle invasivebladder cancer. This type of cancer is found in 75% of patients with a malignant bladder tumor.

This pathology was previously treated with chemotherapy and cystectomy. However, the cancer recurred in 50% of patients. In addition, some patients are immune to chemotherapy or are contraindicated for bladder removal. In this case, Keytruda could help you.

After treatment with Keytruda, the bladder tumor completely disappeared in 41% of patients. A reduction in neoplasms was observed at46%of patients. Patients were monitored for 16 months and no relapse occurred during this time.

KEYTRUDA TREATMENT FOR SOLID TUMORS

Since June 2020, solid tumors can be treated with Keytruda. The main indications for the drug are:

a significant gene-specific mutation;

worsening of the condition after treatment;

Impossibility of treatment by other methods.

The drug was effective in 29% of patients with stage 3 and 4 cancer. At the same time, 4% of oncological patients managed to achieve full recovery. In 50% of the patients, the treatment result lasted longer than maintained2 years without relapses.

The most frequentside effectsafter Keytruda included fatigue, rash, itching, cough, abdominal pain. A small proportion of patients had endocrinopathy and colitis. The drug does not have the same toxic effect on the body as chemotherapy.

WHAT TYPES OF CANCER CAN BE TREATED WITH KEYTRUDA?

Previously, the Food and Drug Administration and theEuropean Commission (EC)authorized the prescription of Keytruda for the treatment of:

metastatic gastric tumors;

Hodgkin lymphomas in children and adults;

inoperable or recurrent cervical cancer;

multiple B-Zell-Lymphome;

flat cell lung cancer;

hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer);

Merkel carcinoma (rare skin tumor);

renal Adenocarcinoma;

flat cell neck and head cancer.

IN WHICH CLINICS IS KEYTRUDA TREATMENT AVAILABLE?

Keytruda is available in foreign clinics. Treatment with this drug in JCI and ISO certified hospitals ensures that you receive a safe and genuine drug from the manufacturer Merck & Co. Currently, the FDA has only approved the drug from this company. advantages ofimmunotherapeutic treatmentfor cancer abroad:

the ability aReliable genetic testdetermine indications for the drug;

Access to original tests and medicines –Insurance against counterfeiting;

The treatment program is managed by aPhysician Councilvarious disciplines, taking into account individual health characteristics;

continuallyMonitoring by professionalsand quick help with side effects.

Clinics with a good reputation and high survival rates of cancer patients:

Medical Center Sourasky (Ichilov);

University Hospital Liv Ulus;

Samsung Medical Center;

Fuda Hospital;

Koç University Hospital;

Quironsalud Hospital Group;

Memorial Clinic Network;

Very medical center.

Continue

Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug that contains pembrolizumab. Currently, it is among the most promising methods of combating malignant neoplasms.

In the summer of 2020, the FDA also approved the testing required to prescribe Keytruda. It is provided by US-based company FoundationOneCD. Laboratory analysis can reliably predict health risks for patients with solid tumors. The test analyzes mutations in 324 genes. Its accuracy is 94.6%.

It can now be used to treat stage 4 flat cell skin cancer, metastatic solid tumors, bladder cancer and colon cancer.

Treatment with Keytruda is possible in foreign clinics. MediGlobus recommends paying attention to Koç Clinic in Turkey, Sourasky Medical Center in Israel, Quironsalud Hospitals Group in Spain and Samsung Medical Center in South Korea.

Stay tuned to MediGlobus and stay up to date with the latest news on the latest developments in foreign medicine. If you need help from a neurologist abroad – make an appointment. Our coordinators will help you find a clinic that offers a treatment program that will help you.

Let us advise you free of charge

Sources:

oncology

Vadim Berezhnoi (MD)

General Practitioner, Medical Expert, Head of Medical Assistance Department.

Victoria Kulyk

Has been working in medical copywriting since 2019. Has a degree in clinical psychology. Since 2010 medical studies and completed medical studies. She devotes her free time to studying the current state of the medical sphere in the world and scientific innovations. Her interests include neuroscience, biology, genetics, physiology and medical engineering. She speaks fluent Ukrainian, English, Russian and studies German.

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