Monoclonal antibodyFDA-approvedFirst-line
Pembrolizumab
How it works
Blocks PD-1, a protein that normally helps cancer cells evade the immune system, allowing the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Cancer types
Colorectal Cancer— Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)
Lung Cancer— All patients
Efficacy
In clinical trials, around 50% of patients achieved an objective response, with median overall survival of approximately 10.3 months.
Side effects
Moderate
Side effects can be significant and may require dose adjustments or supportive medication, but the treatment is usually continued.
Evidence from research
| Study | Cancer type | Stage | Efficacy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combining Gut Bacteria and Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | In ICI-naïve NSCLC (n=12) with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) >50%, the overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 58% and 75%, respectively. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Shows Promise in Treating Advanced Anal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | observational | The objective response rate was 13.5%, with two complete and three partial responses. | Source → |
| Talabostat and Pembrolizumab Show Some Effectiveness in Treating Aggressive Prostate Cancer | Prostate Cancer | phase-2 | The composite response rate was 20% (95% CI 7.7% to 38.6%) and the objective response rate was 13% (95% CI 3.8% to 30.7%). | Source → |
| Combination Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Combination Therapy for Advanced Lung Cancer: A Phase 3 Clinical Trial | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Evaluating a New Treatment Combination for Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Combination Therapy for Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Longer Pembrolizumab Therapy May Improve Survival in Advanced Melanoma | Melanoma | observational | Long-term therapy significantly reduced overall mortality (HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.27-0.62) compared with short-term therapy. | Source → |
| Monitoring a Cancer Drug's Effectiveness in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab for Metastatic Prostate Cancer After Enzalutamide Treatment | Prostate Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Ovarian Cancer Treatment Trial Investigates New Combination Therapy | Ovarian Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Testing New Treatments for Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Study of New Treatments for Triple Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Combination Therapy for Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Pembrolizumab in Children with Advanced Cancer | Melanoma | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Testing a New Combination Therapy for Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy May Improve Survival in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | meta-analysis | Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy improved overall survival (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46-0.96). | Source → |
| Testing Ivonescimab for Lung Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib in Advanced/Metastatic Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer | Prostate Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Chemotherapy, Pembrolizumab, and Radiation for Triple Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Rilvegostomig and Pembrolizumab for Lung Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Evaluating GEN1046 for Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Fianlimab and Cemiplimab in Melanoma Patients | Melanoma | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing Rigosertib and Pembrolizumab for Advanced Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib for Stage III Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Effectiveness in Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | observational | Median progression-free survival was 8.7 months, and median overall survival was 18.0 months. | Source → |
| Testing LNS8801 and Pembrolizumab in Advanced Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Treatments for Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Comparing Treatments for Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Study of Pembrolizumab and Radiation Before Breast Cancer Surgery | Breast Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Assessing Pembrolizumab and Sacituzumab Tirumotecan in Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing Pembrolizumab and 177Lu-PSMA-617 in Prostate Cancer | Prostate Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| High Dose Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy for Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Evaluating Pumitamig vs. Pembrolizumab for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing Ramucirumab Plus Pembrolizumab for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing Immunotherapy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Monotherapy for Advanced Lung Cancer in Vietnam | Lung Cancer | observational | The overall response rate was 60.3%, and the disease control rate was 79.5%. | Source → |
| Testing Alpelisib and Pembrolizumab in Advanced Breast Cancer and Melanoma | Breast Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Testing a New Treatment for Advanced Solid Tumors | Breast Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Linked to Higher Pneumonitis Risk in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Combining Chemotherapy and Pembrolizumab for Triple Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Evaluating GB1211 and Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Melanoma and Head and Neck Cancer | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab, IRX-2, and Chemotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Evaluating Acasunlimab and Pembrolizumab for Advanced Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Pembrolizumab in Advanced Melanoma Patients | Melanoma | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| EIK1005 Clinical Trial for Advanced Solid Tumors | Colorectal Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Study of Sigvotatug Vedotin and Pembrolizumab in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing New Cancer Treatment in Combination with Existing Medications | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Advanced Melanoma Treatment Trial Evaluates Combination of Three Study Medicines | Melanoma | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Olomorasib and pembrolizumab combination tested in G12C NSCLC patients | Lung Cancer | phase-1/2 | — | Source → |
| Comparing Two Cancer Treatments in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | The median progression-free survival was 9.93 months for pembrolizumab and 5.33 months for atezolizumab. | Source → |
| Melanoma Trial Investigates Combination Therapy | Melanoma | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab vs. Chemotherapy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Vaccine Therapy and Pembrolizumab for Advanced Ovarian Cancer | Ovarian Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Testing Olaparib and Pembrolizumab for Advanced Uveal Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing New Combinations for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia | Leukemia | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing a Combination Treatment for Advanced Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Rare kidney disease linked to lung cancer treatment | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Dosage: Weight-Based and Fixed-Dose Compared in Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | observational | Median overall survival was 18.4 months for fixed-dose pembrolizumab and 23.2 months for weight-based pembrolizumab. | Source → |
| Testing Adoptive Cell Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Melanoma Treatment Trial Investigates Combination of NeoVax and Immunotherapies | Melanoma | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Testing Nemtabrutinib and Pembrolizumab for Richter Transformation | Leukemia | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| New Cancer Treatment Shows Promise for Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | preclinical | In treatment-naive patients receiving doublet therapy, confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 54.8%, median duration of response (mDOR) was 20.1 months, and median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 11.2 months. | Source → |
| Comparing Subcutaneous and Intravenous Pembrolizumab for Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab and Intismeran Autogene in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Combining Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer with Brain Metastases | Lung Cancer | phase-2 | The intracranial objective response rate was 46.2% (95% CI, 19.2-74.8), with 6 patients achieving partial response. | Source → |
| Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan and Pembrolizumab for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Adjuvant Therapy Patterns After Chemoimmunotherapy for Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Evaluating Adagrasib in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab for Advanced Cancer with Genomic Instability | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy for Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing Sonidegib and Pembrolizumab in Advanced Solid Tumors | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Study of Combination Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Study of Adagrasib and Pembrolizumab in Untreated Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| New Treatment Combination for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Being Tested | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab and Anetumab Ravtansine for Mesothelioma Treatment | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab and Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Personalized Vaccine Trial for Advanced Solid Tumors | Breast Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| New Lung Cancer Treatment Combination Shows Promise | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing GT103 with Pembrolizumab for Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Evaluating Pembrolizumab and Enzalutamide in Metastatic Prostate Cancer | Prostate Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Ovarian Cancer Treatment Trial: Pembrolizumab and Paclitaxel Combination | Ovarian Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Trial Recruiting Participants | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing Pembrolizumab as Adjuvant Therapy for Triple Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing a Combination Treatment for Early-stage Triple-negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Testing Immunotherapy After Surgery for High-Risk Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Lung Cancer Treatment Study | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Testing a New Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia | Leukemia | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| Cost of Lung Cancer Treatments Compared | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Lung Cancer Treatment Study | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Personalized Cancer Vaccine Shows Long-Term Benefit | Melanoma | phase-2 | The vaccine reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by roughly 49%. | Source → |
| Combining Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy in Melanoma Treatment | Melanoma | phase-2 | The overall response rate was 43%, and the disease control rate was 53%. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab-chemotherapy outcomes in lung cancer | Lung Cancer | observational | Median OS was 13.8 months in the KEYNOTE-189 cohort and 12.0 months in the KEYNOTE-407 cohort. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Trial for Mesothelioma | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Combining Two Cancer Treatments Shows Promise in Advanced Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-1/2 | Among 20 patients treated in phase 2, the overall response rate was 45%, median progression-free survival was 6.6 months, and median overall survival was 29.5 months. | Source → |
| Combination Therapy Fails to Show Benefit in Melanoma Study | Melanoma | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab's Effect on New Skin Cancers in Melanoma Patients | Melanoma | phase-3 | The median recurrence-free survival with new primary melanoma counted as an event was 59.2 months with placebo and not reached with pembrolizumab (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52-0.80). | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Shows Promise in Treating Desmoplastic Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-2 | The pathological complete response rate was 71% (95% confidence interval, 51-87%; P < 0.001). | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Monotherapy in Advanced Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | observational | The median progression-free survival was 5.6 months, with 6-month and 60-month PFS rates of 47.4% and 5.1%, respectively. | Source → |
| Rare Complications from Long-Term Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Immunotherapy Helps Patient with Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | preclinical | — | Source → |
| Comparing Two Cancer Treatments in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | The pathological complete response rate was 43.8% in the pembrolizumab group. | Source → |
| Immunotherapy Helps Patient with Advanced Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Rare but Fatal Heart Condition Linked to Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | review | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab dosing schedule may be safe and effective for breast cancer patients | Breast Cancer | observational | Rates of grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse events were lower in extended-interval dosing (4%) compared to standard-interval dosing (20%). | Source → |
| Combining Virus and Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-1/2 | Partial responses were seen in two patients with prior acquired anti-PD-1 resistance and disease stabilization in six patients, giving a clinical benefit rate of 80%. | Source → |
| New Treatment Options for Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients | Ovarian Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Rare Side Effect of Cancer Treatment Causes Nerve Damage | Melanoma | observational | — | Source → |
| Combination Therapy Fails to Improve CLL Response, but Activates CD8 T Cells | Leukemia | phase-2 | There was 1 complete response and 9 partial responses in 10 patients evaluable for response. | Source → |
| Rare Lung Condition Linked to Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab treatment shows promise for rare lung cancer | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Antibiotics, Steroids, and PPIs May Affect Lung Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Rare Lung Injury in Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Shows Promise in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | observational | The patient had a durable response of 13 months. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab as Adjuvant Treatment for Early-Stage Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | Pembrolizumab extended life years (1.55) and quality-adjusted life years (1.19). | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Slows Ovarian Cancer Growth in Lab Experiments | Ovarian Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| NK Cells Respond to Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Melanoma Patients | Melanoma | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab's Effectiveness in Common Cancers | Melanoma | review | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Works Well for Older Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | No significant differences in median time on treatment (12.7 vs. 14.3 months) or median overall survival (18.2 vs. 27.4 months) were observed between older and younger groups. | Source → |
| Rare Skin Condition Linked to Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Rare Side Effect of Cancer Treatment: Encephalomyelitis After Immunotherapy | Melanoma | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Side Effect Treated with Efgartigimod | Melanoma | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab treatment shows promise for ovarian cancer patients | Ovarian Cancer | phase-2 | Major pathologic responses were observed in 27% of patients (95%CI 14-46). | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Extends Survival in Melanoma Patients | Melanoma | phase-3 | At 48 months, RFS rates were 71.3% for pembrolizumab and 58.3% for placebo, and DMFS rates were 81.0% and 70.1%, respectively. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Side Effects in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | The progression-free survival was significant longer in stage IV NSCLC patients with irTD than in those who did not (44.72 weeks vs. 27.79 weeks). | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab as Adjuvant Therapy for High-Risk Melanoma | Melanoma | phase-3 | The number needed to treat (NNT) for recurrence-free survival was 5.3, and for distant metastasis-free survival was 7.8. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab May Help Some Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients | Prostate Cancer | phase-2 | 38.9% of patients showed a 50% or greater decline in PSA. | Source → |
| Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Untreated Melanoma Brain Metastases | Melanoma | phase-2 | The brain metastasis response rate was 54.1% (95% CI, 36.9 to 70.5). | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab treatment for elderly lung cancer patients | Lung Cancer | observational | The median overall survival was 14.6 months in the pembrolizumab alone group and 20.3 months in the pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy group. | Source → |
| Combination Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Advanced Lung and Skin Cancer | Melanoma | phase-2 | For the secondary refractory metastatic non-small cell lung cancer cohort, the ORR was 14%, median PFS was 5.85 months, and median OS was 14.4 months. For the secondary refractory metastatic cutaneous melanoma cohort, the ORR was 24%, median PFS was 4.44 months, and median OS was 21.9 months. | Source → |
| Combining Immunotherapy with Lanreotide for Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors | Pancreatic Cancer | phase-1/2 | Among GI-NETs, the clinical benefit rate was 50% and the median progression-free survival was 8.5 months. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab-Induced Lung Injury in Cancer Patients | Melanoma | observational | — | Source → |
| Rare Side Effect of Cancer Treatment: Pancreatitis | Pancreatic Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Combining Cryoablation with Immunotherapy Improves Lung Cancer Outcomes | Lung Cancer | observational | Group A demonstrated a higher ORR (75.0% vs. 61.1%), longer median OS (28.1 months vs. 24.2 months), and longer median PFS (12.8 months vs. 8.4 months) compared to Group B. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Can Cause Colitis in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Brazilian Study Examines Cost of New Melanoma Treatments | Melanoma | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Helps Patient with Advanced Colon Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Testicular Cancer Metastasis Responds to Immunotherapy | Colorectal Cancer | observational | He maintains complete clinical response after 28 months. | Source → |
| Combining Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy for Rare Bladder and Prostate Cancers | Prostate Cancer | preclinical | The overall response rate was 43% for cohort 1 and 57% for cohort 2. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab treatment helps patient with advanced pancreatic cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Immune Cells May Contribute to Kidney Damage from Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Combining Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy for Advanced Ovarian Cancer | Ovarian Cancer | phase-2 | Median progression-free survival was 14.88 months, and median overall survival was 57.43 months. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Improves Surgery Outcomes for Advanced Ovarian Cancer | Ovarian Cancer | phase-2 | The complete resection rate was 74% in patients who received pembrolizumab, exceeding the prespecified ≥50% threshold. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Efficacy in Older Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | The median overall survival was 20.5 months. | Source → |
| Selpercatinib May Cause Severe Hypersensitivity in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab and Epacadostat Tested in Ovarian Cancer | Ovarian Cancer | phase-2 | The overall response rate was 21% within 7 months of study entry. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Improves Survival in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | The hazard ratios for event-free survival were 0.70 (0.38-1.31), 0.92 (0.39-2.20), 0.52 (0.32-0.82), and 1.24 (0.69-2.23) across different residual cancer burden categories. | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab 400 mg every 6 weeks shows promise in treating advanced melanoma | Melanoma | phase-1 | The objective response rate was 50.5% (95% CI: 40.4-60.6). | Source → |
| New Cancer Treatment May Offer Cost Savings for Patients | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | — | Source → |
| Pembrolizumab Dosage Study in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | The overall survival rate was 36.6% in the fixed-dose group and 37.7% in the weight-based dose group. | Source → |
| Immunotherapy Shows Promise for Advanced Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| New Options for Lung Cancer Treatment After Surgery | Lung Cancer | phase-3 | Improved disease-free survival and, in case of PD-L1 at least 50%, also improved overall survival for atezolizumab compared to best supportive care. | Source → |
| Rare Cancer Patient Shows Response to Immunotherapy | Melanoma | observational | — | Source → |
This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.