KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in locally advanced cervical cancer

Image of woman walking in park as a fictional patient for illustrative purposes only, with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) logo and text stating 'A key to more tomorrows for your eligible patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemoradiotherapy (external beam radiation therapy followed by brachytherapy), is indicated for the treatment of FIGO 2014 Stage III – IVA locally advanced cervical cancer in adults who have not received prior definitive therapy.1

Prescribing Information (United Kingdom) [External link]

Dosing schedule
For locally advanced cervical cancer, patients should be treated with KEYTRUDA concurrent with chemoradiotherapy, followed by KEYTRUDA as monotherapy. KEYTRUDA can be administered as either 200mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks.1
Duration of treatment
KEYTRUDA can be administered until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or up to 24 months.1
Clinical trial
KEYNOTE-A18 was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, to receive pembrolizumab or placebo plus chemoradiotherapy.1

The results of the ITT population are presented as this is the primary endpoint of the study. It allows the results in the licensed population (a subgroup of the ITT population) to be viewed in context of the primary endpoint.



Patients were enrolled in KEYNOTE-A18 regardless of PD-L1 status.1,2


Keytruda is only licensed for use in combination with chemoradiotherapy (external beam radiation therapy following by brachytherapy) for the treatment of FIGO 2014 Stage III – IVA locally advanced cervical cancer in adults who have not received prior definitive therapy.



KEYNOTE-A18 Thumbnail Image

Please click the above to view the KEYNOTE-A18 clinical data


Eligible patients
KEYTRUDA + Chemoradiotherapy is a suitable option for FIGO 2014 stage III – IVA locally advanced cervical cancer patients.

Please find key characteristics of these eligible patients below3:

FIGO 2014 Staging

Stage IIIA: Involvement of the lower vagina but no extension on to pelvic sidewall

Stage IIIB: Extension onto the pelvic sidewall, or hydronephrosis/non-functioning kidney

Stage IVA: Spread to adjacent pelvic organs

Refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics and Risk Minimisation materials available on the emc website before prescribing, in order to help reduce the risk associated with KEYTRUDA.

Abbreviations:

FIGO: International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. PD-L1: Programmed Death Ligand 1. EMC: Electronic Medicines Compendium.

References:

  1. KEYTRUDA Summary of Product Characteristics.
  2. D Lorusso, et al. Lancet. 2024;404(10460):1321-1332.
  3. FIGO staging for carcinoma of the vulva, cervix, and corpus uteri. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2014;125(2):97-8.

Supporting documentation

Prescribing Information (United Kingdom) [External link]
By clicking the link above you will leave the MSD Connect website and be taken to the emc PI portal website.

GB-CER-00029 | Date of Preparation: April 2026