How Keytruda Cancer Treatment Works (Update)

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immunotherapy cancer treatment that stimulates the patient's immune system to help fight certain types of cancers. Because cancer cells can use certain proteins, like the PD-1 protein, to shield themselves from detection, this enables cancer cells to grow and spread. Keytruda blocks these proteins, preventing the cancer from hiding. The treatment is then able to help the immune system do its job: Find the cancer cells and destroy them. In this video, oncologist Dr. Stephen Lemon explains how Keytruda works, including what types of side effects patients may experience.

Keytruda is currently approved for the treatment of malignant Melanoma, as well for other types of cancers, including Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer, Hodgkins Lymphoma, Bladder Cancer and other cancers that are positive for MSI.

Keytruda is developed by Merck. It's generic name is pembrolizumab. Stephen Lemon MD is a medical oncologist at the Overlake Hospital Cancer Treatment Center in Bellevue, WA.

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How Keytruda (pembrolizumab) Cancer Treatment Works (video transcript)

As more types of immunotherapy treatments are approved to fight cancer, patients want to learn more about specific immunotherapies, such as Keytruda.

Keytruda is an immunotherapy cancer drug treatment that’s showing a lot of promise. While Keytruda is the trade name, it’s generic name is pembrolizumab. And Keytruda is made by Merck.

So how does this treatment work?
Keytruda is an immunotherapy that works with your immune system to help fight certain cancers.

Your immune system is your body’s natural defense against disease to detect and fight infections and diseases, like cancer.

Cancer cells may use certain proteins, like the PD-1 protein, to shield themselves from detection enabling the cancer cells to grow and spread.

Keytruda works by blocking these proteins and prevents the cancer cells from hiding.

Keytruda is then able to help the immune system do its job: find the cancer cells and destroy them.

While Keytruda was first approved to treat malignant melanoma, it can now be used to treat several other types of cancers, including Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer, Hodgkins Lymphoma, Bladder Cancer, Stomach, and other cancers positive for MSI.
How is Keytruda given?
Keytruda is given intravenously. The treatment itself usually takes around thirty minutes and is given every 3 weeks.

The duration of treatment depends on the type of cancer and the patient. Your doctor will decide how many treatments you’ll need.

Keytruda shows many clinical benefits such as knocking the cancer out, extending life and in improving cancer related quality of life.

So what types of side effects can Keytruda cause?
Side effects with Keytruda can be mild, or severe. Some of these side effects result from the body’s immune system attacking normal, healthy organs.

Some less sever, more common side effects may include fatigue, itching, rash, diarrhea, shortness of breath, decreased appetite, constipation and nausea.

More severe Immune-related side effects may include kidney problems, skin reactions, encephalitis, inflammation of the lung, colitis, hepatitis, thyroid issues and diabetes.

This treatment can sometimes cause an infusion reaction. Symptoms of an infusion reaction are chills, wheezing, skin irritations, flushing, rash, low blood pressure, low blood oxygen, and fever.

Women should not take Keytruda if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant because it may cause fetal harm.

Keytruda helps patients live longer and better while offering hope.
If you’d like to know more about Keytruda, please talk to your doctor to find out if this
treatment is right for your cancer.

Видео How Keytruda Cancer Treatment Works (Update) канала Lighter Side of Cancer