See the DrugPatentWatch profile for pembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor, which is an immune checkpoint receptor. By inhibiting PD-1, pembrolizumab helps restore the body's immune system in fighting cancer cells [1]. This medication is used to treat various types of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and urothelial carcinoma [1].

Pembrolizumab is marketed under the brand name Keytruda and was developed by Merck & Co., Inc [2]. The drug was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2014 for the treatment of advanced melanoma [3]. Since then, the FDA has expanded its approval for various other cancer indications [3].

The PD-1 receptor is an immune checkpoint that plays a crucial role in regulating the immune system's response to cancer cells [4]. When PD-1 binds to its ligands PD-L1 or PD-L2, it inhibits T-cell activation and proliferation, allowing cancer cells to evade the immune system [4]. Pembrolizumab works by blocking the PD-1 receptor, preventing its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, and thereby enhancing the anti-tumor immune response [1].

In summary, pembrolizumab is a drug that inhibits the PD-1 immune checkpoint receptor, allowing the immune system to better recognize and attack cancer cells.

Sources:

1. National Cancer Institute. Pembrolizumab. <https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/pembrolizumab>.
2. DrugPatentWatch. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) - Drug Profile. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/keytruda>.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with PD-L1 expression of 1 percent or more. <https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-mercks-keytruda-pembrolizumab-first-line-treatment-patients-metastatic>.
4. Chen, L., & Flies, D. B. (2013). PD-1 and PD-L1 in tumor immune evasion. Journal of hematology & oncology, 6(1), 1-11. <https://journalofhemonc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-8722-6-57>.