Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Monitoring PD-1-Blocking Antibodies Bound to T Cells Derived from a Drop of Peripheral Blood
Published on: February 5, 2020
Recent updates in the therapeutic uses of Pembrolizumab: a brief narrative review
Vítor Silva1, Cristiano Matos2,3
1Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, EPE, 3004-561, Coimbra, Portugal.
Introduction:
Treatment of cancer has been improved with the discovery of biological drugs that act as immune checkpoint inhibitors. In 2017, FDA designated pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor employed in immunotherapy, as the first tissue-agnostic cancer treatment.
Objectives:
To review pembrolizumab's use in oncology, gather and examine the latest discoveries regarding the effectiveness of pembrolizumab in cancer treatment.
Methodology:
A literature review was conducted through PubMed(Medline) from January 2015 to December 2023 using "pembrolizumab", "cancer" and "treatment" as search terms.
Results:
Pembrolizumab demonstrated effectiveness as primary treatment for metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer, unresectable esophageal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and alternative treatment for notable triple-negative breast cancer, biliary, colorectal, endometrial, renal cell, cervical carcinoma, and high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiencies tumors. Pediatric applications include treatment for refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.
Conclusion:
Evolving research on pembrolizumab allows a deeper clinical understanding, despite challenges as variable patient responses. Pembrolizumab has emerged as a pivotal breakthrough in cancer treatment, improving patient outcomes and safety.
Insights
Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, shows significant effectiveness in treating various cancers, including lung, esophageal, and head and neck cancers. This immunotherapy breakthrough improves patient outcomes and safety across diverse oncological applications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
- Pembrolizumab, a key immunotherapy drug, was the first FDA-designated tissue-agnostic cancer therapy in 2017.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the application of pembrolizumab in oncology.
- To synthesize recent findings on pembrolizumab's efficacy in diverse cancer types.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed (Medline).
- Search terms included "pembrolizumab," "cancer," and "treatment" from January 2015 to December 2023.
Main Results:
- Pembrolizumab is effective as a primary treatment for metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer, unresectable esophageal cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
- It also serves as an alternative treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, biliary, colorectal, endometrial, renal cell, and cervical carcinomas, as well as tumors with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiencies.
- Pediatric use includes treatment for refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing research enhances the clinical understanding of pembrolizumab, acknowledging variable patient responses.
- Pembrolizumab is a pivotal immunotherapy agent, significantly improving cancer treatment outcomes and patient safety.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy