Pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, exhibits promising potential as a transformative cancer treatment by leveraging immunotherapy to target the PD-1 checkpoint protein, according to a new study. Its efficacy spans across multiple cancer types, showcasing significant benefits in enabling T cells to identify and eradicate cancer cells.
Early results from studies suggest that pembrolizumab could potentially eliminate the need for surgery and post-operative chemotherapy in bowel cancer treatment, with doctors describing it as a "game-changer" that dramatically increases the chances of curing bowel cancer.
The drug is often used in combination with other cancer treatments, except for other checkpoint inhibitors, as ongoing research seeks to optimize its use and explore combination therapies and dosing strategies.
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels are being explored as a potential biomarker in early-stage urothelial cancer, with baseline ctDNA levels associated with clinical outcomes for patients treated with pembrolizumab but not for those on chemotherapy, according to a study published in Nature.
Anti-PD-1 naive patients had a higher overall response rate, disease control rate, and longer median progression-free and overall survival compared to anti-PD-1 resistant patients, according to preliminary data reported by Benzinga.
By avoiding conventional chemotherapy, patients may experience fewer side effects with immunotherapy treatment like pembrolizumab.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Nature, Yahoo News, Forbes, The Sun, The Guardian, Benzinga, The Irish Times