ICT01 + pembrolizumab

ICT01 + pembrolizumab is a combination of two drugs: ICT01, a first-in-class, humanized monoclonal antibody that targets butyrophilin 3A (BTN3A/CD277) and selectively activates γ9δ2 T cells, and pembrolizumab, a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor[1][4][5]. ICT01 induces anti-tumor immune responses by activating γ9δ2 T cells, leading to their migration into tumor tissue and triggering pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (e.g., IFNγ, TNFα), thus enhancing immunosurveillance and cell-mediated cytotoxicity against malignant cells[5]. Pembrolizumab blocks PD-1-mediated immune evasion by tumors, enabling enhanced T cell–mediated anti-tumor activity. The combination is being clinically investigated, especially in patients with checkpoint inhibitor–refractory tumors such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies[1][2][4][5][7]. ICT01 is being developed by ImCheck Therapeutics; pembrolizumab is developed and manufactured by Merck. The combination aims to synergistically augment anti-tumor immune response, and is currently under evaluation in phase 1/2 trials (not FDA-approved).

Brand names

Keytruda (for pembrolizumab)

Other names

ICT01 plus pembrolizumabICT-01 plus pembrolizumabICT 01 plus pembrolizumabICT01 + Keytruda