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Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

LUNG NSCLC Metastatic - pembrolizumab Q3W [flat dosing]

Treatment Overview

Continue for 2 years or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 21 days

Cycle length:
21

Cycle details

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 21 days

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
pembrolizumab 200 mg flat dosing intravenous 1 30 minutes

Full details

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 21 days

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
pembrolizumab 200 mg flat dosing intravenous 30 minutes
Instructions:
Administer via a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein binding 0.2 to 5 micron in-line or add-on filter.

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Emetogenicity: Minimal

References

Brahmer J.R., D. Rodriguez-Abreu, A.G. Robinson, et al. Health-related quality-of-life results for pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in advanced, PD-L1-positive NSCLC (KEYNOTE-024): a multicentre, international, randomised, open-label phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncology 2017;18:1600-09., PMID: 29129441

Mok, T., Y-L. Wu, I. Kudaba, et al. 2019. "Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for previously untreated, PD-L1-expressing, locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-042): a randomised, open-label, controlled, phase 3 trial." Lancet 393:1819-1830., PMID: 30955977

Herbst, R. S., P. Baas, D. W. Kim, et al. 2016. "Pembrolizumab versus docetaxel for previously treated, PD-L1-positive, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-010): a randomised controlled trial." Lancet 387(10027):1540-1550., PMID: 26712084

Herbst, R. S., E. B. Garon, D. W. Kim, et al. 2021. "Five Year Survival Update From KEYNOTE-010: Pembrolizumab Versus Docetaxel for Previously Treated, Programmed Death-Ligand 1-Positive Advanced NSCLC." J Thorac Oncol 16(10):1718-1732., PMID: 34048946

Reck, M., D. Rodriguez-Abreu, A. G. Robinson, et al. 2021. "Five-Year Outcomes With Pembrolizumab Versus Chemotherapy for Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer With PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score >/= 50." J Clin Oncol 39(21):2339-2349., PMID: 33872070

Hanna, N. H., B. J. Schneider, S. Temin, et al. 2020. "Therapy for Stage IV Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Without Driver Alterations: ASCO and OH (CCO) Joint Guideline Update." J Clin Oncol 38(14):1608-1632., PMID: 31990617

Reck, M., D. Rodriguez-Abreu, A. G. Robinson, et al. 2016. "Pembrolizumab versus Chemotherapy for PD-L1-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer." N Engl J Med 375(19):1823-1833., PMID: 27718847

* The medicines, doses, combinations, and schedule in this treatment regimen have been carefully reviewed against international best practice guidelines by specialists in medical oncology around New Zealand and this advice has been accepted for publication by Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency). Sometimes medicines that are used in routine clinical practice have not been through a formal review process by the NZ Medicines Regulator Medsafe and are therefore considered unapproved or off-label. These medicines are legally able to be prescribed through sections 25 and 29 of the Medicines Act and by obtaining informed consent from patients. All treatment regimens listed on this website have been through robust peer review and are considered an accepted standard of care, whether prescribed through sections 25 or 29 or carrying formal Medsafe Approval.

s29: This symbol indicates that some formulations of the associated medicine are legally only able to be prescribed under section 29 of the Medicines Act. You can see which formulations are section 29 by hovering over the s29 symbol. You can access full medication details from the New Zealand Formulary by clicking on the medication name. Each clinician retains full responsibility for ensuring they have complied with all relevant obligations and requirements of section 29 including obtaining informed patient consent prior to prescribing the applicable medicine.