Pembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is a type of immunotherapy. It stimulates the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Pembrolizumab targets and blocks a protein called PD-1 on the surface of certain immune cells called T-cells. Blocking PD-1 triggers the T-cells to find and kill cancer cells. It is given intravenously and is newly available as an adjuvant therapy in England for RCC. Pembrolizumab and Axitinib combination therapy was accepted by NHS Scotland for first-line treatment of advanced kidney cancer in 2020, but is still not available in the rest of the UK.
Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib was approved in Scotland in June 2022 as a first line treatment for RCC. Lenvatinib with Pembrolizumab for untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma is in development and the expected NICE publication date is due December 2022
Delivery: Intravenous
Availability: England
Additional information: *Pembrolizumab and Axitinib combination approved in Scotland for first-line treatment
*Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib combination approved in Scotland as a first line treatment.