pembrolizumab + pomalidomide + dexamethasone

This is a **combination therapy** of pembrolizumab (a programmed death-1 [PD-1] immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibody), pomalidomide (an immunomodulatory small molecule), and dexamethasone (a synthetic corticosteroid), studied for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Pembrolizumab works by blocking PD-1 on T cells to boost immune-mediated anti-tumor responses; pomalidomide has immunomodulatory and direct anti-myeloma properties, enhancing T cell and NK cell function, inhibiting angiogenesis, and inducing apoptosis; dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory steroid that also has direct anti-myeloma effects and reduces side effects of other agents. This triplet regimen showed promising anti-myeloma activity in early-phase trials, with overall response rates up to 60% and manageable safety, but in phase 3 trials (KEYNOTE-183) was halted due to increased mortality compared to control arms, leading to an unfavorable benefit–risk profile.

Other names

pembrolizumab + pomalidomide + dexamethasonePembro + Poma + Dex