Drug Database
PE

pembrolizumab

✓ Approved

Dako · CD274 · Companion diagnostic

What is pembrolizumab?

pembrolizumab is a companion diagnostic developed by Dako. It is approved for therapeutic indications via others.

Drug Profile

CompanyDako
Drug ClassCompanion diagnostic
Molecular TargetCD274
RouteOthers
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Dako

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

pembrolizumab acts on 1 molecular target:

CD274CD274 molecule (B7H1, B7-H)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

pembrolizumab is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)Uterine cancer✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedFrontiers in oncology2026-07-25

Case Report: Aplastic anemia associated with parvovirus B19 infection following neoadjuvant pembrolizumab-based chemoimmunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer.

Kindl Jan J, Svobodová Dominika D, Matějů Martin M, Zimovjanová Martina M et al.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are increasingly incorporated into curative treatment strategies for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Although hematologic immune-related adverse events are rare, they may be severe and difficult to distinguish from other causes of bone marrow failure. We report a 54-year-old woman with triple-negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy according to the KEYNOTE-522 regimen. After breast-conserving surgery and achievement of a pathologic complete response, she developed a rapidly progressive severe pancytopenia (grade 4 febrile neutropenia, grade 4 thrombocytopenia and grade 3 anemia) in the early postoperative period. Bone marrow biopsy showed generalized bone marrow suppression. An immune-related hematologic toxicity was suspected; high-dose corticosteroids were initiated. However, no hematologic response was observed. Further tests detected ongoing parvovirus B19 infection (positive plasma viral DNA and IgM and IgG serology). Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was therefore initiated, resulting in rapid hematologic recovery. Pembrolizumab was discontinued, and the patient subsequently completed adjuvant radiotherapy. At a 20-month follow-up, she remained free of disease recurrence. This case highlights the importance of broad diagnostic evaluation of severe cytopenias after pembrolizumab-based chemoimmunotherapy and underscores the need to distinguish infectious bone marrow suppression from primary immune-related hematologic toxicity, as this distinction may directly influence management.

PMID 42500288
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PubMedESMO open2026-07-25

Platinum-based chemotherapy after enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab in metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a real-world study.

Sternschuss M M, Whiting K K, Arbuiso A A, Gupta A A et al.

Platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) is frequently used after first-line enfortumab vedotin-pembrolizumab for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), yet efficacy in this setting remains undefined. We retrospectively reviewed an institutional database of 236 patients with mUC treated with enfortumab vedotin-pembrolizumab between October 2018 and December 2024 to identify those receiving second-line PBC. Responses were investigator-assessed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated from the start of PBC; duration of response (DOR) was estimated from the first documented response. Of 62 patients treated with subsequent systemic therapy, 74% (n = 46) received PBC (carboplatin, n = 34; cisplatin, n = 12); nine patients (20%) then received maintenance avelumab. Median age was 73 years; 65% were male; 30% had upper-tract primary. Objective response rate (ORR) to first-line enfortumab vedotin-pembrolizumab was 41%. Median follow-up was 11 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.2-not reached (NR)]. ORR to second-line PBC was 49% (22 of 45, 95% CI 34% to 64%), including two complete responses; median DOR was 5.2 months (95% CI 3.8-NR). Median PFS was 5 months (95% CI 3.6-6.6), and median OS was 12 months (95% CI 10-17). Outcomes did not differ between cisplatin and carboplatin (P > 0.9). In a real-world setting, PBC after enfortumab vedotin-pembrolizumab demonstrated meaningful activity but modest durability. These findings may inform clinical management and future trial design.

PMID 42497482
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PubMedCase reports in oncology2026-07-25

Pembrolizumab plus Lenvatinib for Postoperative Recurrent TFEB-Amplified Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Ishikawa Shunya S, Katayama Hiromichi H, Koyama Juntaro J, Goto Takuro T et al.

Transcription factor EB (TFEB)-amplified renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a molecularly defined subtype, newly recognized in the 2022 World Health Organization classification. Diagnosis is challenging because conventional morphologic and immunohistochemical findings are often insufficient, and confirmation typically requires fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or RNA sequencing. This entity is extremely rare and has been associated with an unfavorable prognosis. No standard systemic therapy has been established. A 67-year-old man presented with gross hematuria and was diagnosed with left RCC with a renal vein tumor thrombus (cT3aN0M0). He underwent radical nephrectomy. Histopathology showed proliferation of atypical cells with pale eosinophilic or clear cytoplasm, while immunohistochemical findings were inconclusive. Partial positivity for Melan-A prompted further evaluation. FISH analysis confirmed TFEB amplification, establishing the diagnosis of TFEB-amplified RCC. No recurrence was detected 3 months postoperatively; however, intra-abdominal recurrence developed at 6 months. Given the non-clear cell histology and poor-risk classification according to the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium criteria, pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib was initiated. Comprehensive genomic profiling revealed a high tumor mutational burden and amplification of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and other genes located in the 6p21 region, supporting the molecular diagnosis. Partial response was achieved 2 months posttreatment, with a complete response confirmed 1 year later. The patient remains on combination therapy with pembrolizumab and lenvatinib, with dose adjustment of lenvatinib. Pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib demonstrated clinical efficacy in postoperative recurrent TFEB-amplified RCC. Combination therapy incorporating immune checkpoint inhibition and VEGF-targeted treatment may represent a therapeutic option for this entity.

PMID 42499696
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PubMedGynecologic oncology reports2026-07-25

Durable response to pembrolizumab plus axitinib in platinum-resistant ovarian clear cell carcinoma: A case report.

Patel Nikhil S NS, Cook Joshua J JJ, Valcana Danielle E DE, Poiesz Michael J MJ et al.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a rare and aggressive histologic subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer characterized by intrinsic chemoresistance and limited treatment options in the platinum-resistant setting. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and VEGFR-targeted therapies have demonstrated synergistic activity across multiple malignancies, though their role in OCCC remains incompletely defined. Axitinib is a selective VEGFR1-3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for renal cell carcinoma but not OCCC. We report a 39-year-old female with FIGO stage IVA platinum-resistant OCCC who achieved durable disease control with pembrolizumab plus axitinib, despite prior mixed response to first-line therapies including bevacizumab. Tumor profiling demonstrated microsatellite stability, low tumor mutational burden, PD-L1 expression (TPS 5%), ARID1A mutation, and TP53 alteration. Serial imaging demonstrated sustained radiographic improvement followed by imaging findings suspicious for disease progression after approximately 23 months of disease control. This case highlights the potential therapeutic relevance of VEGFR inhibition combined with immune checkpoint blockade in platinum-resistant OCCC. In a setting with limited effective options, this combination strategy may provide meaningful clinical benefit in selected patients.

PMID 42500113
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PubMedVeterinary medicine and science2026-07-25

Green Tea Extract, Keratin Hydrolysate and Vitamin C Exert Anti-Ageing Effects Through the Hippo Signalling Pathway in Feline and Canine Mammary Gland Cells.

Gao Yi Y, Sun Xue X, Ma Yan Y, Li Jiaxi J et al.

Ageing is a progressive decline in organ function and tissue integrity caused by genetic, environmental and physiological factors. With the increasing lifespan of companion animals, effective anti-ageing interventions for elderly felines and canines have attracted growing attention in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to investigate the anti-ageing effects of green tea extract, keratin hydrolysate and vitamin C in feline and canine mammary gland cells and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Feline and canine mammary gland cells were treated with green tea extract, keratin hydrolysate and vitamin C in vitro. Cell proliferation, oxidative stress responses and ageing-associated protein expression induced by actinomycin D were evaluated. The involvement of the Hippo signalling pathway was further analysed to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-ageing effects. Green tea extract, keratin hydrolysate and vitamin C significantly promoted the proliferation of feline and canine mammary gland cells. These treatments effectively restored the abnormal expression of ageing-related proteins induced by actinomycin D and exhibited protective effects against oxidative damage. Mechanistically, the anti-ageing effects were associated with regulation of the Hippo signalling pathway. Green tea extract, keratin hydrolysate and vitamin C exhibit significant anti-ageing effects in feline and canine mammary gland cells through modulation of the Hippo pathway. These findings suggest their potential as safe and effective anti-ageing interventions for improving health and alleviating geriatric syndromes in ageing companion animals.

PMID 42499304
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PubMedFrontiers in cell and developmental biology2026-07-25

The 2025 paradigm shift in urothelial carcinoma pharmacotherapy: from chemotherapy to ADCs and ICIs.

Liang Yong Y, Zhaxi Duoji D, Fu Meng M, Hu Junjie J

The pharmacotherapy of urothelial carcinoma (UC) has undergone a paradigm shift from conventional chemotherapy and BCG to novel agent-based strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), moving from later-line to frontline, monotherapy to combination, and systemic to locoregional-systemic synergy. In non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, ICI-BCG combinations and ADC-BCG regimens improve treatment responses and patient outcomes, while the intravesical delivery system TAR-200 also shows therapeutic potential. For muscle-invasive bladder cancer, ADC/ICI-based perioperative strategies alongside biomarker-guided approaches have shown significantly improved survival. In upper tract urothelial carcinoma, ADC/ICI-based combinations show promise in neoadjuvant, kidney-sparing, and adjuvant settings. For advanced or metastatic UC, first-line enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab demonstrates superior survival over chemotherapy, and various clinical trials of novel agent-based strategies are ongoing. Challenges include optimizing patient selection, determining ideal treatment duration, managing treatment-related adverse events, and preserving organ function. Future directions emphasize precision-oriented, function-preserving, and biomarker-driven individualized management.

PMID 42499711
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