Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) for Endometrial Cancer

Overview
Keytruda is an immunotherapy medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain forms of endometrial cancer. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy drugs like carboplatin and paclitaxel to treat individuals with advanced or returning endometrial cancer. It is also combined with lenvatinib for individuals with advanced endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR, meaning their cancer cells can repair genetic mistakes) or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H, meaning their cells don’t have many mutations, or variations). For those with MSI-H or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR, meaning their cancer cells struggle to repair genetic mistakes), Keytruda can be given alone after other treatments have failed. Keytruda is also known by its drug name, pembrolizumab.

Keytruda helps the immune system fight cancer. It blocks a protein called PD-1, which cancer cells use to hide from immune cells. By blocking PD-1, the immune system is better able to find and attack the cancer.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Keytruda is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, meaning it is slowly injected into a vein. Each infusion takes about 30 minutes and is given on a schedule determined by the health care provider. When used with other treatments, the schedule may depend on those medications. It is important to follow your health care provider’s instructions and attend all appointments.

Side effects
Common side effects of Keytruda include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, rash, muscle or bone pain, loss of appetite, hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), constipation, vomiting, and stomach pain. When used with chemotherapy, additional common effects may include nerve pain, hair loss, inflammation of the mouth or throat, headaches, weight loss, and trouble sleeping.

Rare but serious side effects may include inflammation caused by the immune system attacking healthy organs, such as the lungs, colon, liver, glands that make hormones, and kidneys (nephritis). Severe reactions during infusion and complications for those receiving stem cell transplants are also possible. Keytruda can also cause harm to an unborn fetus when taken during pregnancy.

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Label: Keytruda — Pembrolizumab Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution; Keytruda — Pembrolizumab Injection, Solution — DailyMed

Keytruda - DailyMed