pembrolizumab + carboplatin + paclitaxel (Merck & Co.)

This combination therapy consists of the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab and the chemotherapy agents carboplatin and paclitaxel. It is currently being investigated in a Phase II clinical trial led by investigator Dan Zandberg for the first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The regimen utilizes a unique 'pulsed dose' chemotherapy schedule, which is hypothesized to reduce the immune-suppressive effects typically associated with standard chemotherapy dosing, thereby potentially enhancing the anti-tumor activity of the PD-1 inhibitor. Pembrolizumab works by blocking the PD-1 receptor on T-cells, while carboplatin causes DNA cross-linking and paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules to inhibit mitosis, collectively targeting the cancer through both cytotoxic and immunomodulatory pathways.

Brand names

KeytrudaTaxolParaplatin

Other names

Pulsed dose chemotherapy plus pembrolizumabPulsed-dose carboplatin and paclitaxel with pembrolizumab