On October 31, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) to be used with gemcitabine and cisplatin to treat biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) that has spread or is locally advanced but can not be removed.
The effectiveness was assessed in a study called KEYNOTE-966 (NCT04003636), which was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 1069 patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BTC who had not undergone previous systemic therapy for advanced illness. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either pembrolizumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin every 3 weeks, or placebo in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin on the same schedule. Treatment persisted until intolerable side effects or advancement of the disease. Cisplatin was given for up to 8 cycles, whereas gemcitabine was continued based on the physician’s judgment. The administration of Pembrolizumab or placebo was maintained until illness progression, intolerable toxicity, or a maximum duration of 2 years.
The primary effectiveness endpoint was overall survival (OS). Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy showed a substantial increase in overall survival compared to placebo combined with chemotherapy, with a hazard ratio of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.95); one-sided p-value=0.0034. The median overall survival (OS) was 12.7 months with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 11.5 to 13.6 in one group, and 10.9 months with a 95% CI of 9.9 to 11.6 in the other group.
Interruption of pembrolizumab due to adverse events happened in 55% of patients. Low neutrophil count, low platelet count, anemia, low white blood cell count, fever, tiredness, cholangitis, elevated ALT and AST, and biliary obstruction were some of the side effects or lab problems that happened so often (≥2%) that the treatment had to be stopped.
The suggested dosage of pembrolizumab is 200 mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Administer pembrolizumab before chemotherapy if both are given on the same day.
Cancer
How Targeted Therapy is Revolutionizing Advanced Cancer Treatment?
In the field of oncology, the emergence of targeted therapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape for advanced cancers. Unlike conventional chemotherapy, which broadly targets rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy aims to selectively attack cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells. This precision approach is made possible by identifying specific molecular alterations or biomarkers that are unique to cancer cells. By understanding the molecular profiles of tumors, oncologists can tailor treatment regimens that are more effective and less toxic. In this article, we delve into the principles, applications, and advancements of targeted therapy in advanced cancer.
Alysha Mendossa
April 25, 2024
