Keytruda is a type of cancer immunotherapy that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. It’s used to treat many different cancers, including:Melanoma (a type of skin cancer) • Non-small cell lung cancer • Head and neck cancer • Bladder and urinary tract cancer • Cervical cancer • Certain types of breast cancer • Colorectal cancer • Endometrial cancer • Stomach cancer • Hodgkin lymphoma (a blood cancer) • And others, often based on specific genetic markers found in the tumor, like MSI-H or TMB-H.
The FDA has approved a new subcutaneous (under-the-skin) version of the cancer immunotherapy drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab). This new formulation, called Keytruda Qlex, can be administered in just one to two minutes, a significant reduction from the 30-minute IV infusion time.
The new version offers patients greater convenience and access to treatment, as it can be administered in a doctor’s office or clinic, not just an infusion center. Clinical trials showed that the subcutaneous form is equally effective and safe as the original IV version.