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The Effectiveness of Keytruda for Lung Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadliest forms of cancer worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lung cancer accounts for approximately 1.8 million new cases and 1.7 million deaths annually. The prognosis for lung cancer patients is often grim, with a five-year survival rate of around 21%. However, recent advancements in immunotherapy have brought new hope to patients and their families.

What is Keytruda?

Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor developed by Merck & Co. It is a type of immunotherapy that works by blocking the PD-1 protein on T-cells, allowing them to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

How Effective is Keytruda for Lung Cancer?

Studies have shown that Keytruda is an effective treatment for lung cancer, particularly for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a phase III clinical trial, Keytruda demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Keytruda in First-Line Treatment

In 2019, the FDA approved Keytruda as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC and high PD-L1 expression. This approval was based on the results of the KEYNOTE-189 trial, which showed that Keytruda in combination with chemotherapy improved OS and PFS compared to chemotherapy alone.

Keytruda in Second-Line Treatment

Keytruda has also been shown to be effective in second-line treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC. In the KEYNOTE-010 trial, Keytruda demonstrated a significant improvement in OS and PFS compared to docetaxel, a commonly used chemotherapy agent.

Keytruda in Combination with Other Therapies

Keytruda has also been studied in combination with other therapies, including chemotherapy and targeted therapies. In the KEYNOTE-189 trial, Keytruda in combination with chemotherapy improved OS and PFS compared to chemotherapy alone. Additionally, Keytruda in combination with the targeted therapy, osimertinib, has shown promising results in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

Real-World Evidence

Real-world evidence suggests that Keytruda is effective in treating lung cancer patients in clinical practice. A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that Keytruda was associated with improved OS and PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC in a real-world setting.

Cost-Effectiveness

Keytruda is a costly treatment, with a list price of around $12,000 per month. However, studies have shown that Keytruda is cost-effective in certain patient populations. A study published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy found that Keytruda was cost-effective in patients with advanced NSCLC and high PD-L1 expression.

Conclusion

Keytruda has been shown to be an effective treatment for lung cancer, particularly for patients with advanced NSCLC. Its approval as a first-line treatment and its combination with other therapies have expanded its potential uses. While it is a costly treatment, real-world evidence suggests that it is cost-effective in certain patient populations.

FAQs

1. What is Keytruda?
Keytruda is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor developed by Merck & Co. It is a type of immunotherapy that works by blocking the PD-1 protein on T-cells, allowing them to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

2. How effective is Keytruda for lung cancer?
Studies have shown that Keytruda is an effective treatment for lung cancer, particularly for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

3. Is Keytruda approved for first-line treatment?
Yes, Keytruda is approved as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC and high PD-L1 expression.

4. Can Keytruda be used in combination with other therapies?
Yes, Keytruda has been studied in combination with other therapies, including chemotherapy and targeted therapies.

5. Is Keytruda cost-effective?
Studies have shown that Keytruda is cost-effective in certain patient populations, particularly those with advanced NSCLC and high PD-L1 expression.

Cited Sources:

1. World Health Organization. (2020). Lung Cancer: Estimated Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide in 2020.
2. Merck & Co. (2020). Keytruda (pembrolizumab) Prescribing Information.
3. FDA. (2019). FDA Approves Keytruda for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
4. Journal of Thoracic Oncology. (2020). Real-World Evidence of Pembrolizumab in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
5. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy. (2020). Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pembrolizumab for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
6. DrugPatentWatch.com. (2020). Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) Patent Expiration.

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