NICE green light for Keytruda in melanoma setting

Source: Pharma Times, January 2019

The guidelines apply to adults who have disease that has spread to the lymph nodes and who have already had surgery to remove the tumour and associated lymph glands.

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a type of immunotherapy that works by boosting the body’s natural defences to fight cancer. In this setting, it is used to remove any cancer left behind after surgery.

According to NICE, clinical evidence suggests Keytruda is likely to extend the time people remain cancer free, with nearly three-quarters of people having no recurrence of the disease at 18 months compared to just over half of the people who were given a placebo.