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Pembrolizumab
Source: Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 9, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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Context: Treatment Option Overview for Merkel Cell Carcinoma / Immunotherapy
Pembrolizumab is a humanized IgG4 anti–programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody.
Evidence (pembrolizumab):
Pembrolizumab was studied in a phase II trial (NCT02267603) of first-line systemic treatment for patients with unresectable stage IIIB or stage IV MCC. A total of 50 patients received therapy.[41][Level of evidence C3] The FDA approved pembrolizumab in 2018.
Source links and citations
Pembrolizumab was studied in a phase II trial (NCT02267603) of first-line systemic treatment for patients with unresectable stage IIIB or stage IV MCC. A total of 50 patients received therapy.[41][Level of evidence C3] The FDA approved pembrolizumab in 2018.
The objective response rate was 58% (95% CI, 43.2%–71.8%); 30% of patients had a complete response and 28% had a partial response. While the response rate was similar to historical rates with first-line chemotherapy, responses to pembrolizumab were more durable. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.8 months (95% CI, 4.6–43.4), and the 3-year OS rate was 59.4%.
Studies cited in this source section
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice