Keytruda (pembrolizumab) vs Aliqopa (copanlisib)

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that works by blocking the PD-1 pathway, which helps the body's immune system to detect and fight cancer cells, and is commonly used in various types of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. Aliqopa (copanlisib) is a PI3K inhibitor that targets a different part of cancer cell growth and survival, mainly used for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma. The choice between Keytruda and Aliqopa would depend on the specific type of cancer a patient has, its molecular characteristics, and the overall treatment plan determined by the healthcare provider, as each medication is approved for different indications and works through distinct mechanisms.

Difference between Keytruda and Aliqopa

Metric	Keytruda (pembrolizumab)	Aliqopa (copanlisib)
Generic name	Pembrolizumab	Copanlisib
Indications	Various types of cancers including melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and others	Follicular lymphoma
Mechanism of action	Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody	Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor
Brand names	Keytruda	Aliqopa
Administrative route	Intravenous infusion	Intravenous infusion
Side effects	Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea, rash, pyrexia, cough, dyspnea, constipation, pain in extremity, and headache	Hyperglycemia, hypertension, fatigue, neutropenia, diarrhea, leukopenia, anemia, upper respiratory tract infection, and thrombocytopenia
Contraindications	Patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab or any of its excipients	Patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to copanlisib or any of its excipients
Drug class	Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody	PI3K inhibitor
Manufacturer	Merck & Co.	Bayer

Efficacy

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) Efficacy in Lymphoma

Keytruda, also known by its generic name pembrolizumab, is a monoclonal antibody that has shown efficacy in treating certain types of lymphoma. Specifically, it has been approved for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma after the failure of other treatments. Pembrolizumab works by targeting the PD-1 pathway, which cancer cells often exploit to evade the immune system. By blocking this pathway, Keytruda enables the immune system to better detect and destroy cancer cells. Clinical trials have demonstrated that pembrolizumab can lead to significant tumor reduction and has a favorable response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

The efficacy of Keytruda in lymphoma is also being investigated in other types, such as primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), where it has received accelerated approval based on overall response rates. However, continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. It is important to note that the response to pembrolizumab can vary, and not all patients with lymphoma will experience the same level of benefit.

Aliqopa (Copanlisib) Efficacy in Lymphoma

Aliqopa, with the generic name copanlisib, is a kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of adult patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma who have received at least two prior systemic therapies. Copanlisib acts by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, which is known to play a role in the growth and survival of certain cancer cells. By targeting this pathway, Aliqopa has shown efficacy in inducing tumor shrinkage and in achieving partial or complete responses in a significant proportion of patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma.

The approval of Aliqopa for follicular lymphoma was based on the results from a single-arm clinical trial, which demonstrated an overall response rate and a duration of response that supported its use in the third-line setting. As with other targeted therapies, the response to Aliqopa may vary among patients, and its continued use should be based on individual patient response and tolerance to the treatment. Ongoing studies are expected to provide further data on the long-term efficacy and safety of copanlisib in various types of lymphoma.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Keytruda

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Health Canada
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
Medsafe (NZ)

Aliqopa

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

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