Keytruda vs. Keytruda Qlex for Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Keytruda

(pembrolizumab)

Keytruda Qlex

Summary for Keytruda

Prescription only

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immunotherapy medication. It helps treat many different kinds of cancer. This can include lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. It works as a PD-1 inhibitor to turn on your immune system and help it attack the cancer better. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is given as an infusion through the vein at a medical center or clinic. It's given either every 3 weeks or every 6 weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Side effects can include tiredness, diarrhea, rash, and trouble breathing. Your cancer treatment might be just Keytruda (pembrolizumab), or it might be given with other cancer therapies.

Indications for Keytruda

Certain types of:

Melanoma
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)
Head and neck cancer
Hodgkin lymphoma
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
Bladder cancer
Colorectal cancer
Stomach cancer
Esophageal cancer
Liver cancer
Biliary tract cancer
Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)
Cervical cancer
Endometrial carcinoma (uterine cancer)
Triple-negative breast cancer
Ovarian cancer, including fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer
Merkel cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer)
Cancers with high tumor mutation burden (TMB-H), high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), or deficient mismatch repair (dMMR)

Pros and Cons for Keytruda

Pros

Recommended first-choice treatment for many types of cancers under certain situations
Given every 3 or 6 weeks, depending on the treatment plan
Less likely to cause nausea, vomiting, and hair loss than traditional chemotherapy

Cons

Given as an injection through the vein
Might cause immune-related side effects like diarrhea, rash, and lung problems
Might need to take a break from treatment and take a corticosteroid to manage some side effects

Common Side Effects for Keytruda

High blood sugar (52%)
Anemia (43%)
Higher liver enzyme levels (up to 33%)
Low sodium levels (31%)
Low white blood cell count (30%)
Low calcium levels (25%)
Tiredness (25%)
High potassium levels (23%)
Low phosphate levels (20%)
Lower appetite (17%)
Trouble breathing (17%)
Cough (16%)
Rash (15%)
Diarrhea (12%)
Nausea (12%)
Constipation (12%)

Warnings for Keytruda

Immune-related side effects
Infusion-related reactions
Complications from stem cell transplants
Harm to an unborn baby

Summary for Keytruda Qlex

Prescription only

Keytruda Qlex (pembrolizumab / berahyaluronidase alfa) is an immunotherapy medication that’s given as an injection under the skin. It’s FDA approved to treat many types of cancer in some adults and children. These cancers include lung cancer, melanoma, and several others. Keytruda Qlex works as a PD-1 inhibitor to help your immune system fight cancer better. A healthcare professional will help inject it into the thigh or stomach area at a clinic every 3 or 6 weeks. Side effects include rash, tiredness, and diarrhea. Depending on your treatment plan, Keytruda Qlex can be given alone or with other cancer therapies.