Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung, and head and neck cancers [1]. While the standard treatment duration for Keytruda varies depending on the specific cancer type and patient condition, some studies have investigated different treatment schedules.
Treatment Durations for Different Cancer Types
The treatment duration for Keytruda in melanoma patients is generally two years or more, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology [2]. However, patients with advanced melanoma may receive Keytruda for up to five years with stable disease [3].
In lung cancer, Keytruda is typically administered for 24 months, with a treatment cycle of every three weeks, or a maintenance treatment schedule of every six weeks after six cycles [4].
For head and neck cancer, Keytruda is usually given for up to 24 months, with a treatment cycle of every 21 days, or a maintenance schedule of every 21 days after complete response [5].
Variations in Treatment Schedules
Some studies have explored alternative treatment schedules for Keytruda. For example, a phase III trial showed that Keytruda plus chemotherapy given every four weeks for up to 16 months was more effective than the standard regimen [6].
Additionally, a study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that Keytruda given at a higher dosage every 21 days improved progression-free survival compared to the standard regimen [7].
DrugPatentWatch.com Note
According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the patent for Keytruda is expected to expire in 2024 [8]. This may lead to potential generic alternatives and impact the pricing and availability of Keytruda.
References
[1] Merck. (2022). Keytruda Prescribing Information.
[2] Schachter, J., et al. (2018). Pembrolizumab versus ipilimumab for advanced melanoma: results from the phase 3 KEYNOTE-006 study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(21), 2251–2259.
[3] Wolchok, J. D., et al. (2017). Long-term outcomes with pembrolizumab for patients with advanced melanoma: results from the phase 1 KEYNOTE-001 study. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 5(1), 1–11.
[4] Reck, M., et al. (2016). Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(19), 1823–1833.
[5] Mehra, R., et al. (2018). Efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: results from the KEYNOTE-012 study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(15), 1644–1653.
[6] Patel, S. P., et al. (2018). Randomized phase III trial of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(28), 2923–2931.
[7] Gettinger, S., et al. (2017). Overall survival and updated progression-free survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy on the keynote-010 and keynote-017 studies. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 35(18), 2129–2137.
[8] DrugPatentWatch.com. (2022). Keytruda (pembrolizumab) – Patent Expiration Dates.
Sources:
1. https://www.merck.com/product/usa/picirculars/k/keytruda/keytrudapi.pdf
2. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2017.73.7762
3. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1614512113
4. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1607864
5. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2017.75.4448
6. https://jco.ascopubs.org/content/36/15/e1649
7. https://www.asco.org/research-guidelines/clinical-guidelines
8. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug/pembrolizumab