pembrolizumab + radiation therapy + temozolomide

This combination therapy regimen consists of the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda), the alkylating chemotherapy agent temozolomide, and focal radiation therapy. It is specifically being evaluated for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells, blocking its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands to restore anti-tumor immune activity. Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent that delivers a methyl group to DNA, primarily at the O6 and N7 positions of guanine, triggering DNA damage and subsequent tumor cell apoptosis. Radiation therapy is used to induce double-strand DNA breaks and potentially increase the immunogenicity of the tumor environment. The combination aims to leverage the synergistic potential of standard-of-care chemoradiation with immunotherapy to improve outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

Brand names

Keytruda

Other names

Pembrolizumab with Radiation and TemozolomideK-Northwestern University-glioblastoma