Japan’s Ministry of Health has approved new indications for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in treating certain lung and urothelial cancers.
KEYTRUDA, combined with chemotherapy, has been approved for preoperative (neoadjuvant) and follow-up (adjuvant) treatment of NSCLC patients. This approval is based on the KEYNOTE-671 trial, which demonstrated improved overall and event-free survival in patients receiving the KEYTRUDA regimen compared to placebo.
Lung cancer is a global scourge, responsible for the most cancer deaths worldwide. NSCLC is the most prevalent type of lung cancer, and these new approvals offer hope to patients in Japan.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, has been approved for first-line treatment of radically unresectable urothelial carcinoma. This approval stems from the KEYNOTE-A39 trial, which showed the combination’s effectiveness in improving patient outcomes compared to standard chemotherapy.
Urothelial carcinoma is a cancer of the lining of the urinary tract. The new approval provides a novel treatment option for patients with advanced disease.
These approvals underscore KEYTRUDA’s versatility and importance in the treatment of various cancers. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies, offering personalized treatment approaches for patients in Japan.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
