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Keytruda vs Tecentriq

Pembrolizumab  ·  Atezolizumab

Both are checkpoint inhibitors. Here is how Keytruda and Tecentriq compare on class, mechanism, dosing, approval and supply.

At a glance

KeytrudaPembrolizumab
TecentriqAtezolizumab
Brand name
Keytruda
Tecentriq
Drug class
PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor
PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor
Route
Intravenous
Intravenous
Marketed by
Merck Sharp & Dohme
Genentech (Roche)
First FDA approval
4 Sep 2014
18 May 2016
US shortage
Not listed
Not listed

Key differences

What each one treats

KeytrudaPembrolizumab

KEYTRUDA is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody indicated: Melanoma for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. ( 1.1 ) for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with Stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection. ( 1.1 ) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. ( 1.2 ) in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC. ( 1.2 ) as a single agent for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-authorized test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor ab…

TecentriqAtezolizumab

TECENTRIQ is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody indicated: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage II to IIIA NSCLC whose tumors have PD-L1 expression on ≥ 1% of tumor cells, as determined by an FDA-authorized test. ( 1.1 , 14.1 ) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 stained ≥ 50% of tumor cells [TC ≥ 50%] or PD-L1 stained tumor-infiltrating immune cells [IC] covering ≥ 10% of the tumor area [IC ≥ 10%] ), as determined by an FDA-authorized test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. ( 1.1 ) in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. ( 1.1 …

How each one works

KeytrudaPD-1 checkpoint inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Binding of the PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, to the PD-1 receptor found on T cells, inhibits T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Upregulation of PD-1 ligands occurs in some tumors and signaling through this pathway can contribute to inhibition of active T-cell immune surveillance of tumors. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, releasing PD-1 pathway-mediated inhibition of the immune response, including the anti-tumor immune response. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, blocking PD-1 activity resulted in decreased tumor growth. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, combination treat…

TecentriqPD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action PD L1 may be expressed on tumor cells and/or tumor infiltrating immune cells and can contribute to the inhibition of the anti-tumor immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Binding of PD L1 to the PD 1 and B7.1 receptors found on T cells and antigen presenting cells suppresses cytotoxic T-cell activity, T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Atezolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to PD L1 and blocks its interactions with both PD 1 and B7.1 receptors. This releases the PD L1/PD 1 mediated inhibition of the immune response, including activation of the anti-tumor immune response without inducing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In syngen…

Related comparisons

Keytruda VS Opdivo Keytruda VS Imfinzi Opdivo VS Tecentriq Tecentriq VS Imfinzi

Read more

Keytruda profile Tecentriq profile Checkpoint Inhibitors All comparisons
This is not medical advice, and not a recommendation of one drug over the other.

Which medicine is right for a given person depends on their diagnosis, other conditions, other medicines, kidney and liver function, pregnancy, and cost or reimbursement — none of which this page knows. Two drugs in the same class are not automatically interchangeable. Never start, stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a web page; that decision belongs to you and your clinician or pharmacist.

Class and summary text is written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Label, mechanism, route, manufacturer and approval data come from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Approvals, indications and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions — a drug approved in one may not be approved, or may carry a different name, in another.