New FDA Approvals: FDA Broadens Keytruda Use in Cervical Cancer
Jan. 12: The FDA broadened the label of Merck & Co., Inc.’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to include, in combination with chemoradiotherapy, the treatment of people with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) 2014 Stage III-IVA cervical cancer. The agency initially approved the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor on Sept. 4, 2014. The indication is the drug’s third in cervical cancer and 39th overall. The application was granted priority review. That review was conducted under Project Orbis in collaboration with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, and it used the Assessment Aid. Dosing is 200 mg every three weeks or 400 mg every six weeks via a 30-minute intravenous infusion. The agent’s price for every-three-weeks dosing is $11,115; for every-six-weeks dosing, it’s $22,230.