See the DrugPatentWatch profile for keytruda

Keytruda, a drug manufactured by Merck & Co., has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for various cancer treatments. Its active ingredient is pembrolizumab, which functions by blocking the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway, thereby enabling the immune system to detect and fight cancer cells. Recently, there has been an exploration of new uses for Keytruda, and its effectiveness in these new applications is a topic of interest.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Keytruda has been approved for several new indications, including the treatment of certain types of metastatic or advanced cancers, such as colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma [1]. In addition, it has been approved in combination with other drugs for the treatment of certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and advanced renal cell carcinoma [1].

Clinical trials have shown promising results for Keytruda in these new uses. For instance, in a study of patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer, Keytruda demonstrated an overall response rate of 33% and a median duration of response of 12.3 months [2]. Similarly, in a study of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma, Keytruda showed an overall response rate of 13% [3].

However, it is important to note that while Keytruda has shown efficacy in these new uses, it may not be effective for all patients, and its use should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, Keytruda can have side effects, including immune-mediated adverse reactions, which can be severe or fatal [1].

In conclusion, Keytruda has shown promising results in new uses for the treatment of various types of cancers. However, its effectiveness may vary, and its use should be carefully considered based on individual patient characteristics and potential side effects.

Sources:

1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Keytruda (pembrolizumab) - DrugPatentWatch. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/keytruda>
2. André, T., Lenz, H. J., Siena, S., Kim, T. W., Gounder, M. M., Wong, S. S., ... & Chan, S. (2020). Pembrolizumab in patients with microsatellite instability-high advanced colorectal cancer: updated analyses from the phase II KEYNOTE-164 study. Annals of oncology, 31(1), 122-131.
3. Makker, V., Oaknin, A., Pujade-Lauraine, E., Chung, H. C., Marth, C., Matei, D., ... & Coleman, R. L. (2020). Pembrolizumab in patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma: results from the phase II KEYNOTE-158 study. Journal of clinical oncology, 38(22), 2405-2416.