Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) and Opdivo® (nivolumab) are prescription immunotherapy drugs that can be used to treat several types of cancer. Unlike chemotherapy and radiation therapy—which directly target rapidly dividing cancer cells—immunotherapy works by harnessing the power of the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Normally, the immune system is highly effective at protecting the body from infection by recognizing and destroying many harmful invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. Cancerous cells are also harmful invaders, but some have unique characteristics that allow them to masquerade as healthy cells and avoid detection by the immune system’s infection-fighting T cells. As a result, tumors can more easily grow and spread throughout the body.

How do Keytruda® and Opdivo® work?

To shield themselves from the T cells, some cancerous cells exploit the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) pathway, which normally serves as a natural “brake system” that tempers the immune system and prevents it from overreacting. To do so, the PD-1 pathway provides tissue-specific protection to seemingly harmless cells so the T cells will leave those cells alone.

Some devious cancer cells use the PD-1 pathway to indiscriminately “put the brakes on” the T cells and stop them from attacking. Keytruda® and Opdivo® work by blocking the PD-1 pathway, which exposes the cancerous cells and leaves them vulnerable to attack by the immune system.

Both Keytruda® and Opdivo® are FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies, which are manmade proteins that mimic the function of natural antibodies found in the immune system. Keytruda® is marketed by Merck & Co. and Opdivo® is marketed by Bristol Myers Squibb. The drugs are similar in terms of their safety and effectiveness; their key differences relate to their dosing frequency, the drugs they are used in combination with and the types of cancer they are approved for treating.

What types of cancer can be treated with Keytruda®?

Keytruda® is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating:

Melanoma
Non-small cell lung cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Bladder and urinary tract cancer (urothelial carcinoma)
Colorectal cancer
Esophageal and gastroesophageal junction carcinomas
Cervical cancer
Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)
Uterine cancer (advanced endometrial carcinoma)
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

What types of cancer can be treated with Opdivo®?

Opdivo® is approved by the FDA for treating:

Non-small cell lung cancer
Melanoma
Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
Bladder and urinary tract cancer (urothelial carcinoma)
Hodgkin lymphoma
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma
Gastric, esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas

Side effects of Keytruda® and Opdivo®

Common side effects of Keytruda® and Opdivo® include:

Weakness and fatigue
Fever
Bone, joint and muscle pain
Skin rash and itching
Loss of appetite
Stomach pain
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Fever
Anemia
Hormonal imbalances
Headaches
Upper respiratory infections

If Keytruda® or Opdivo® is used in combination with chemotherapy, additional side effects may occur, such as:

Hair loss
Mouth sores
Inflammation in the lining of the mouth, nose, eyes, throat and intestines
Nerve pain and weakness in the arms and legs
Unintended weight loss
Difficulty sleeping

Effectiveness of Keytruda® and Opdivo ®

Immunotherapy in general is one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of cancer treatment. Compared to standard therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors that target PD-1—such as Keytruda® and Opdivo®—have been shown to significantly prolong overall survival in patients with a wide range of tumor types. For instance, recent studies show that Keytruda® is more effective than chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in patients with high levels of PD-1, a protein biomarker that helps physicians identify those who are most likely to benefit from this type of immunotherapy.

Of course, every patient and every tumor is unique. Therefore, different patients may respond to immunotherapy in different ways, and the treatment is not effective for everyone. To determine whether and how well immunotherapy is working, the patient’s care team will continually monitor their progress and finetune their treatment as needed.

Moffitt Cancer Center offers Keytruda® and Opdivo®

Immunotherapy is a groundbreaking cancer treatment offered by the renowned team at Moffitt. As pioneers of this promising option, we believe it has unprecedented potential to make a difference in the lives of many current and future cancer patients.

Immunotherapy remains an active area of research at Moffitt, and we continue to make great strides in increasing its effectiveness and expanding its use in cancer treatment. Our outstanding research team is widely acclaimed and has received national recognition in the form of a Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute.

Currently, Moffitt’s patients can benefit from select FDA-approved therapies, such as Keytruda® and Opdivo®. We also offer immunotherapy trials for patients with a variety of advanced-stage, solid or liquid tumors. Taking a multispecialty approach to cancer treatment, we can match our patients with clinical trials that are appropriate for their unique needs.

If you would like to learn more about Keytruda® or Opdivo®, you can talk with a specialist at Moffitt with or without a referral. To request an appointment, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online.

Immunotherapy FAQs

Keytruda® and Opdivo®