Drug Database
PE

pembrolizumab

✓ Approved

Dako · CD274 · Companion diagnostic

What is pembrolizumab?

pembrolizumab is a companion diagnostic developed by Dako. It is approved for therapeutic indications via others.

Drug Profile

CompanyDako
Drug ClassCompanion diagnostic
Molecular TargetCD274
RouteOthers
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Dako

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

pembrolizumab acts on 1 molecular target:

CD274CD274 molecule (B7H1, B7-H)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

pembrolizumab is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)Uterine cancer✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedFrontiers in oncology2026-10-15

Successful conservative management of hepatic portal venous gas complicating severe immune-related gastrointestinal injury during pembrolizumab-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer: a mechanistic case report.

Minamitani Miwa M, Tsuyoshi Hideaki H, Naito Tatsushi T, Nakamoto Yasunari Y et al.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) combined with pembrolizumab has become the standard treatment for high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer, increasing the need for prompt recognition of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We report a rare case of severe gastrointestinal irAE complicated by hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) during pembrolizumab-based CCRT. A 72-year-old woman with FIGO 2018 stage IIIC1r cervical squamous cell carcinoma developed persistent diarrhea and anorexia during treatment, followed by sudden hematemesis after the first brachytherapy session. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed diffuse gastric mucosal necrosis, while contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated HPVG, intramural gastric gas, and diffuse gastrointestinal wall edema without evidence of intestinal ischemia. Gastric biopsy showed marked intraepithelial lymphocytic infiltration predominantly composed of CD8-positive T cells, consistent with pembrolizumab-induced gastrointestinal irAE. High-dose corticosteroid therapy and supportive conservative management resulted in rapid clinical and radiological resolution, avoiding surgical intervention. This case highlights that gastrointestinal irAEs may mimic conventional CCRT-related toxicities, delaying diagnosis. Furthermore, HPVG should not be considered synonymous with intestinal necrosis. Careful integration of clinical, radiological, endoscopic, and pathological findings is essential to distinguish immune-mediated gastrointestinal injury from ischemic disease and to guide appropriate management.

PMID 42876789
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PubMedArchivos espanoles de urologia2026-10-15

Synchronous Bilateral Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma With Multifocal Recurrence and Prolonged Disease Control Under Sequential Multimodal Therapy: A Case Report.

Chacón-Medina Otto José Guillermo OJG, Custodio-Cabello Sara S, Palka-Kotlowska Magda M, Rosero-Rodriguez Adriana A et al.

Synchronous bilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an uncommon clinical presentation that raises important diagnostic, surgical, and oncological management challenges. Colonic serosal metastases from RCC represent a particularly rare site of spread. We report the case of a 67-year-old man with synchronous bilateral clear cell RCC (ccRCC) who underwent staged nephrectomies in 2022, followed by early multifocal recurrence necessitating completion left nephrectomy, bilateral adrenalectomy, and segmental colectomy for serosal colonic involvement in October 2023. Pathology confirmed metastatic ccRCC at all resected sites. Adjuvant pembrolizumab was initiated post-resection but failed to prevent rapid systemic progression with bone and pulmonary metastases. Following adjuvant immunotherapy failure, the patient received three sequential lines of targeted therapy in the metastatic setting: sunitinib (first line), everolimus (second line), and cabozantinib (third line). Cabozantinib achieved a durable metabolic response, with complete resolution of nodal disease and partial response of bone and pulmonary lesions, despite prior multiline exposure. Treatment was complicated by medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, requiring temporary discontinuation; cabozantinib was reintroduced at a reduced dose (20 mg/day), which was associated with maintained disease control and acceptable tolerance. At the time of reporting, the patient remained on reduced-dose cabozantinib with chronic hemodialysis and hormonal replacement, maintaining an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0. This case illustrates the biological heterogeneity and unusual metastatic tropism of ccRCC, and underscores the clinical value of individualized multidisciplinary management; combining aggressive metastasectomy, palliative radiotherapy, and sequential targeted systemic therapy, in achieving meaningful long-term disease control while preserving quality of life.

PMID 42876137
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PubMedPediatric emergency care2026-10-15

Essentials of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship: Clinical Updates From the Past Decade.

Kane Ian D ID, Fang Andrea A, Meltzer James A JA, Werner Heidi H et al.

Ten years ago, a comprehensive series of articles was published in Pediatric Emergency Care detailing the state of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship education. We intend to provide an update to the clinical elements of fellowship training, with a companion article to follow that will address the nonclinical domains. This article will summarize the core components of fellowship as mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and review significant changes and challenges to fellowship education that have occurred over the past decade. In light of upcoming modifications to fellowship education, including an increased focus on competency-based medical education and the addition of a 2-year, clinically oriented fellowship option, it is vital for stakeholders to be familiar with the core elements of PEM fellowship training as the curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of trainees and their patients.

PMID 42876193
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PubMedFrontiers in pharmacology2026-10-15

Monoclonal antibodies associated IgA nephropathy or other nephropathies.

Miedziaszczyk Miłosz M, Kosiorowski Gracjan G, Kubasik Janusz J, Grabowski Tomasz T et al.

The use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases. However, accumulating evidence indicates that biologic therapies may be associated with renal adverse events, including various types of glomerulonephritis. The aim of this review was to summarize all reports available in the scientific literature regarding the occurrence of IgA nephropathy after monoclonal antibody treatment. Additionally, the risk of other glomerulonephritis after biologic therapy was discussed. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most commonly reported glomerular lesion associated with monoclonal antibody therapy, particularly with TNF-α inhibitors such as infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, and etanercept, as well as with immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1 (pembrolizumab, nivolumab) and interleukin (ustekinumab) pathways. Proposed mechanisms include immune dysregulation with a shift toward Th2 and Th17-dependent responses, increased production of galactose-deficient IgA1, complement activation, formation of circulating immune complexes, and loss of immune tolerance. In some cases, drug discontinuation and glucocorticoid therapy have resulted in partial or complete disease remission, although progression to end-stage renal disease has also been reported. Due to the potential severity of these complications, initial and periodic monitoring of renal function and urinalysis are recommended in patients receiving monoclonal antibody therapy. Early recognition of renal involvement and prompt treatment modification can improve prognosis.

PMID 42876810
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PubMedFrontiers in oncology2026-10-15

Preparedness for early detection of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders among Saudi dental students: a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Tarakji Bassel B, Alsalhani Anas A, Mehsen Alali Faisal F, Alqhtani Nasser Raqe NR et al.

Oral cancer remains a major global health challenge, with delayed diagnosis contributing to poor prognosis and reduced survival. Dental students play an important role in early detection; however, deficiencies in preparedness and diagnostic confidence have been reported. This study assessed oral cancer knowledge, oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) awareness, and diagnostic confidence among Saudi dental students. A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 354 dental students and interns from governmental and private dental schools in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire assessed oral cancer knowledge, OPMD knowledge, and self-reported diagnostic confidence related to screening and biopsy procedures. Participants were classified as meeting or not meeting a study-defined minimum operational threshold of ≥60% of the maximum possible score in each domain; this cutoff was not interpreted as a definition of "good" performance or clinical competence. Associations between participant characteristics and study outcomes were examined using chi-square tests and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses. Overall, 81.9% of participants met the oral cancer knowledge threshold, 55.4% met the OPMD knowledge threshold, and 24.0% met the diagnostic confidence threshold. Most participants correctly identified major oral cancer risk factors, including tobacco smoking (97.2%), alcohol consumption (92.7%), and human papillomavirus infection (86.7%). However, clinically oriented response patterns highlighted areas for educational attention. 20.1% selected the prespecified specialist-referral response for management of a persistent suspicious lesion, while 35.6% recognized factors associated with increased malignant transformation risk in leukoplakia. Intern status remained independently associated with meeting the oral cancer knowledge and diagnostic confidence thresholds in multivariable analyses. The diagnostic-confidence outcome reflected self-perceived preparedness rather than observed screening, referral, or procedural competence. A high proportion of Saudi dental students met the study-defined oral cancer knowledge threshold; however, self-reported diagnostic confidence and preparedness for early detection remained considerably lower. Strengthening competency-based oral cancer education and clinical training may improve early detection preparedness and referral practices among future dental practitioners. Because the domains assessed different constructs and had different effective cutoffs, their threshold proportions should not be compared directly; the diagnostic-confidence findings represent perceived preparedness only.

PMID 42876606
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PubMedJournal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism2026-10-15

EXPRESS: Diagnostic and prognostic value of on-site CT-derived fractional flow reserve in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

Wang Xinran X, Zeng Xuan X, Guo Jian J, Shi Zhao Z et al.

The role of CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) in cerebrovascular disease remains undefined. This study validated the diagnostic and prognostic value of an on-site CT-FFR in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (sICAS) patients. This retrospective study enrolled sICAS patients with 30 - 99% stenosis confirmed by CTA, divided into two substudies. The diagnostic performance study included 259 patients undergoing CTA and CT perfusion (CTP) or four-dimensional CTA (CTP as reference standard). In prognosis study, 452 patients with at least 1-year follow-up were included. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was used to measure CT-FFR. Diagnostic performance was assessed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and predictive value by Cox regression analysis. The diagnostic performance of CT-FFR was significantly higher than diameter stenosis (DS) on both per-patient (P = 0.009) and per-lesion (P = 0.004) basis. And the cut-off value of CT-FFR diagnosing cerebral hypoperfusion was 0.80. 15.0% (68 / 452) patients experienced recurrent ischemic events during the median 24 (17-33) months follow-up. CT-FFR provided incremental prognostic value beyond traditional cardiovascular risks plus DS (AUC = 0.797 vs 0.716, P < 0.001). This on-site CT-FFR can serve as a valuable tool for diagnosis and risk stratification in sICAS patients.

PMID 42876153
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