Keytruda (pembrolizumab) vs Inlyta (axitinib)

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immunotherapy drug that works by blocking the PD-1 pathway, which helps the immune system detect and fight cancer cells, and is commonly used in various types of cancers, including melanoma, lung, and head and neck cancers. Inlyta (axitinib), on the other hand, is a targeted therapy known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets certain receptors on cancer cells to prevent their growth and is used primarily in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). The choice between Keytruda and Inlyta would depend on the specific type of cancer a patient has, the stage of the disease, the patient's overall health, and the treatment goals, as these medications are not typically interchangeable and are approved for different indications.

Difference between Keytruda and Inlyta

Metric	Keytruda (pembrolizumab)	Inlyta (axitinib)
Generic name	Pembrolizumab	Axitinib
Indications	Various types of cancers including melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and others	Advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of one prior systemic therapy
Mechanism of action	Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody	Tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs)
Brand names	Keytruda	Inlyta
Administrative route	Intravenous infusion	Oral
Side effects	Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea, rash, pyrexia, cough, dyspnea, constipation, pain in extremity, and headache	Diarrhea, hypertension, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, dysphonia, hypothyroidism, cough, and constipation
Contraindications	Individuals with hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab or any of its excipients	Individuals with hypersensitivity to axitinib or any of its excipients
Drug class	Antineoplastic, immune checkpoint inhibitor	Antineoplastic, tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Manufacturer	Merck & Co.	Pfizer Inc.

Efficacy

Introduction to Keytruda and Inlyta in Kidney Cancer Treatment

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Inlyta (axitinib) are two medications that have been utilized in the treatment of kidney cancer. Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug that works by helping the immune system to detect and fight cancer cells. It is a type of checkpoint inhibitor that targets the PD-1 pathway. Inlyta, on the other hand, is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, which are involved in the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow and survive. When used in combination, these drugs have shown efficacy in treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of kidney cancer.

Efficacy of Keytruda in Kidney Cancer

Keytruda has been evaluated in several clinical trials for its efficacy in treating advanced RCC. The drug has demonstrated an ability to improve overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with this disease. In a pivotal trial, patients treated with Keytruda in combination with axitinib had a significant improvement in overall response rate compared to those treated with sunitinib, another standard treatment for advanced RCC. Keytruda's efficacy has led to its approval by regulatory agencies for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RCC in combination with axitinib.

Efficacy of Inlyta in Kidney Cancer

Inlyta has been used as a second-line treatment for advanced RCC and has shown efficacy in slowing the progression of the disease. When combined with Keytruda, Inlyta has been shown to enhance the anti-tumor activity compared to Inlyta alone or other standard treatments. The combination therapy has been associated with a higher response rate and longer duration of response, indicating that patients can experience a longer period of time without disease progression.

Conclusion on the Combined Efficacy of Keytruda and Inlyta

The combination of Keytruda and Inlyta represents a significant advancement in the treatment of advanced RCC. The synergistic effect of an immunotherapy agent with a VEGF inhibitor has provided a new therapeutic option that can lead to better outcomes for patients with this challenging disease. Clinical trials have consistently shown that this combination improves key metrics such as overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates. As a result, this combination therapy has become a preferred first-line treatment option for many patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

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)

Inlyta

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

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