Libtayo vs. Keytruda for Lung Cancer and Skin Cancer: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Libtayo (cemiplimab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) are both programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway inhibitors used to treat certain types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and squamous cell skin carcinoma. They work by helping your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. However, they have some differences. Libtayo is specifically approved for certain skin cancers and NSCLC, while Keytruda is approved for a wider range of cancers, including melanoma, breast cancer, and more. Libtayo is given as a 350 mg intravenous (IV) infusion every three weeks, whereas Keytruda can be given as either a 200 mg IV infusion every three weeks or a 400 mg IV infusion every six weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Both medications can cause immune-related side effects like rash, diarrhea, and trouble breathing. Neither medication is available as a generic. It's important to follow your prescriber's instructions and report any side effects you experience.

Libtayo

(cemiplimab)

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Keytruda

(pembrolizumab)

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Summary for Libtayo

Prescription only

Libtayo (cemiplimab or cemiplimab-rwlc) is an immunotherapy medication that’s used to treat certain types of skin cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It turns on your immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. But as a result, it can sometimes cause side effects like rash, diarrhea, and lung problems, which might require special treatment with corticosteroids. Libtayo (cemiplimab) is given through the vein (intravenously, IV) at a provider’s office or infusion center once every three weeks.

Indications for Libtayo

Certain skin cancers
- Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that is metastatic or can’t be treated with surgery or radiation
- Basal cell carcinoma that has spread and has been treated with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, if eligible
Certain non-small cell lung cancers that have spread
- Given together with chemotherapy, or
- Given alone for cancers with high PD-L1 expression

Pros and Cons for Libtayo

Pros

Doesn’t cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, or other side effects commonly seen with traditional chemotherapy
Recommended treatment option for basal cell, squamous cell skin cancer, and NSCLC
Is given every three weeks as an infusion that only takes 30 minutes each time, so it’s convenient

Cons

Might cause immune-related side effects like diarrhea, rash, and lung problems
Might require treatment breaks and a corticosteroid to manage side effects
Given through an IV, which requires using a needle

Common Side Effects for Libtayo

Tiredness (up to 50%)
Rash (up to 34%)
Muscle or joint pain (up to 36%)
Diarrhea (up to 33%)
Itching (up to 22%)
Nausea (up to 21%)

Warnings for Libtayo

Immune-related side effects
Infusion reactions
Stem cell transplant complications
Harm to unborn baby

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