Keytruda: Transforming Cancer Treatment Through Immunotherapy
Keytruda, known generically as pembrolizumab, has emerged as a groundbreaking therapy in the fight against cancer. Unlike traditional chemotherapy that directly attacks rapidly dividing cells, Keytruda harnesses the body’s immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. This innovative approach, known as immunotherapy, has reshaped oncology by offering new hope to patients with advanced and difficult-to-treat cancers.
Keytruda belongs to a class of drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors. These medications target the PD-1 receptor, a protein on immune cells that normally prevents the immune system from attacking healthy tissues. Cancer cells often exploit this pathway to evade immune detection. By blocking PD-1, Keytruda allows immune cells to identify and destroy cancerous cells more effectively, enhancing the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
The drug has been approved to treat a wide range of cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,…
