Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, has recently earned the endorsement of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for its immunotherapy drug, Keytruda (pembrolizumab). This approval positions Keytruda as the pioneering immunotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of specific patients with renal cell carcinoma and early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Distinct from traditional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, Keytruda bolsters the immune system to combat cancer cells more efficiently. It operates by obstructing the PD-1 pathway, a method cancer cells might utilise to shield themselves from T-cells, thereby allowing the immune system to identify and battle cancer cells.

Rehan A. Khan, MSD India’s Managing Director, emphasised the company’s dedication to enhancing the availability of top-tier medications that substantially elevate health outcomes. He pointed out that, with the recent approvals, Keytruda now covers 14 indications across 8 distinct tumour types in India.

Khan stressed the imperative of prompt access to novel cancer treatments, noting its significance in boosting care quality and lessening cancer’s impact on India’s economy and society.

TNBC is recognised for its aggressive nature, presenting the greatest risk of recurrence within half a decade post-diagnosis. Meanwhile, renal cell carcinoma, the predominant kidney cancer type, is particularly more prevalent in men. Historically, there’s been a scarcity of treatment alternatives for renal cell carcinoma, emphasising the importance of Keytruda’s approval.

Keytruda’s function is primarily to enhance the immune system’s capability to detect and combat tumour cells. As an anti-PD-1 therapy, it’s a humanised monoclonal antibody, inhibiting the interaction of PD-1 with its ligands, leading to the activation of T lymphocytes that can potentially target both tumour and healthy cells.

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