What type of drug is Keytruda (pembrolizumab)?

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is classified as an immunotherapy. It specifically functions as a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, which is part of a class of drugs designed to enhance the body's immune response against cancer. By blocking the PD-1 protein on T cells, Keytruda helps to prevent cancer cells from evading the immune system, thereby allowing it to more effectively target and destroy cancer cells.

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by leveraging the body’s own defenses, making it distinct from other treatment modalities. This approach is critical to target specific pathways involved in immune regulation rather than directly attacking cancer cells as chemotherapy does. Consequently, while systemic therapy encompasses a range of treatments that affect the whole body, and hormonal therapy targets specific hormone pathways, Keytruda specifically engages the immune system, fully embodying the principles of immunotherapy.