News Flash 10.2015

The FDA has expanded the approved use of Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) to also treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed after receiving the standard treatments. Nevertheless, these patients will first have to undergo a specific laboratory test in order to identify those who may benefit from the new therapy. 

In addition to Keytruda, the FDA has also expanded the approved use of Opdivo (Nivolumab) to treat this group of patients. 

It should be noted that both drugs - Keytruda and Opdivo - have the same mechanism of action (enhancing the ability of the immune system to fight and destroy cancer cells) and both are thought to be a breakthrough cancer treatment (see News Flash: "Keytruda – a new anti-cancer drug").