Efficacy

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) in Urothelial Carcinoma

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a highly effective immunotherapy drug used in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma, which is a type of cancer that occurs in the urinary system, including the bladder, ureters, and urethra. Pembrolizumab is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody that helps the immune system to detect and fight cancer cells. It has been approved for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy, and for patients who have disease progression during or following any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of pembrolizumab in this patient population. The KEYNOTE-045 study, for instance, showed that pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma who had previously received platinum-based chemotherapy. The median overall survival was notably better in the pembrolizumab-treated group, establishing it as a preferred option for second-line therapy in this setting.

Padcev (Enfortumab Vedotin-ejfv) in Urothelial Carcinoma

Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is another innovative treatment for urothelial carcinoma, specifically for patients who have previously received a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy. Enfortumab vedotin-ejfv is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets Nectin-4, a protein found on the surface of many urothelial carcinoma cells, and delivers a cytotoxic agent directly to the cancer cells. This targeted approach allows for the destruction of cancer cells while sparing normal, healthy cells.

The efficacy of Padcev was evaluated in a clinical trial known as EV-201, which enrolled patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who had previously been treated with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy. The results showed a significant response rate with a meaningful percentage of patients achieving complete or partial responses. The median duration of response also indicated a lasting benefit for those who responded to the therapy. These findings have positioned Padcev as a valuable treatment option for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma who have limited alternatives due to prior therapies.