Keytruda and non-small cell lung cancer: what to know

Keytruda is the brand name for pembrolizumab, a medicine that blocks a signal cancer cells can use to quiet immune activity. It is given through a vein on a schedule chosen by the oncology team. Some people receive it alone, while others receive it with chemotherapy or another treatment.

The decision can depend on the cancer subtype, its spread, previous treatment, general health, and results from tumour testing. A lung biopsy and scans help define the diagnosis and extent of disease. Treatment may also include surgery such as Lung Lobectomy, focused treatment such as Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, or Targeted Therapy when appropriate.

Share your medicines, supplements, autoimmune conditions, transplant history, breathing problems, and previous immune reactions. Keep appointments for blood tests and scans, because the team uses them to assess treatment effects and your response.

Report new symptoms promptly rather than waiting for the next infusion. Immune-related problems can affect the skin, bowel, lungs, liver, thyroid, or other organs. Do not start or stop steroids or other medicines for a symptom without discussing it with the treating team.

Contact your cancer team urgently for new or worsening breathlessness, chest pain, persistent diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, confusion, marked weakness, a widespread rash, or a high temperature. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, sudden weakness, or severe allergic symptoms during or after an infusion.

Ask which biopsy and biomarker results guide the recommendation, whether Keytruda is planned alone or with another treatment, how infusions and scans will be scheduled, which symptoms require a same-day call, and how treatment will be adjusted if an immune-related problem develops.