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When Did FDA Approve Keytruda for Widespread Cancer Treatment?

The FDA's approval of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for widespread cancer treatment marked a significant milestone in the history of cancer treatment. In this article, we'll delve into the story of how Keytruda became a game-changer in the fight against cancer.

A Breakthrough in Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer, has been gaining traction in recent years. Keytruda, developed by Merck & Co., Inc., is a leading immunotherapy drug that has shown remarkable success in treating various types of cancer.

The Journey to FDA Approval

Keytruda's journey to FDA approval began in 2014, when the agency granted it Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of advanced melanoma. This designation is reserved for drugs that show significant improvement over existing treatments for a particular disease.

FDA Approval for Melanoma

On September 4, 2014, the FDA approved Keytruda for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, a type of skin cancer. This approval marked the first time an immunotherapy drug had been approved for the treatment of melanoma.

Expansion of Indications

Since its initial approval, Keytruda has been approved for the treatment of several other types of cancer, including:

* Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: In December 2016, the FDA approved Keytruda for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that has progressed after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
* Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: In October 2017, the FDA approved Keytruda for the treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHCT) and brentuximab vedotin.
* Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: In October 2015, the FDA approved Keytruda for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has progressed after platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Widespread Cancer Treatment

Keytruda's approval for widespread cancer treatment has been a significant development in the fight against cancer. According to a report by DrugPatentWatch.com, Keytruda has been approved for the treatment of over 20 different types of cancer, making it one of the most widely approved cancer treatments in history.

Industry Expert Insights

We spoke with Dr. Roy Herbst, Chief of Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center, who had this to say about Keytruda's impact on cancer treatment:

"Keytruda has revolutionized the way we treat cancer. Its ability to target specific cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact has made it a game-changer in the fight against cancer."

Conclusion

The FDA's approval of Keytruda for widespread cancer treatment has marked a significant milestone in the history of cancer treatment. From its initial approval for melanoma to its expansion to treat multiple other types of cancer, Keytruda has proven to be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer.

Key Takeaways

* Keytruda was first approved by the FDA in 2014 for the treatment of advanced melanoma.
* The drug has since been approved for the treatment of several other types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-small cell lung cancer.
* Keytruda has been approved for the treatment of over 20 different types of cancer, making it one of the most widely approved cancer treatments in history.
* Industry experts believe that Keytruda has revolutionized the way we treat cancer and has made it a game-changer in the fight against cancer.

FAQs

1. What is Keytruda?
Keytruda is a type of immunotherapy drug that has been approved for the treatment of multiple types of cancer.
2. What was Keytruda initially approved for?
Keytruda was initially approved by the FDA in 2014 for the treatment of advanced melanoma.
3. How many types of cancer has Keytruda been approved for?
Keytruda has been approved for the treatment of over 20 different types of cancer.
4. What makes Keytruda unique?
Keytruda is unique in that it targets specific cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact, making it a powerful tool in the fight against cancer.
5. What do industry experts say about Keytruda?
Industry experts believe that Keytruda has revolutionized the way we treat cancer and has made it a game-changer in the fight against cancer.

Cited Sources

1. FDA. (2014, September 4). FDA Approves Merck's Keytruda for Advanced Melanoma.
2. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) Patent Expiration.
3. Merck & Co., Inc. (n.d.). Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) Prescribing Information.
4. Herbst, R. S. (2018). Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(22), 2231-2238. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.77.2112