pembrolizumab (Sorrento Therapeutics)

Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that functions as a checkpoint inhibitor by binding to the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells. This blockade prevents PD-1 from interacting with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby releasing the "brakes" on the immune system and allowing T cells to attack cancer cells. Sorrento Therapeutics is investigating a novel delivery method for pembrolizumab using its proprietary Sofusa DoseConnect technology, which employs a microneedle array to deliver the drug directly into the lymphatic system (intralymphatic delivery). This approach is being evaluated in a Phase 1b study for patients with relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides, a subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), with the goal of enhancing local drug concentration in the skin and lymph nodes while potentially minimizing systemic exposure and associated side effects.

Brand names

KeytrudaSofusa DoseConnect

Other names

intralymphatic pembrolizumabpembrolizumab (Sofusa)lambrolizumab