Keytruda (pembrolizumab) vs Calquence (acalabrutinib)

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor, specifically a PD-1 blocker, used primarily to treat various types of cancer by enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells. Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of certain blood cancers, such as mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, by interfering with the signaling that promotes cancer cell survival and proliferation. When deciding between Keytruda and Calquence, it is crucial to consider the specific type of cancer being treated, as each medication is approved for different indications and works through distinct mechanisms within the body's immune system or cancer pathways.

Difference between Keytruda and Calquence

Metric	Keytruda (pembrolizumab)	Calquence (acalabrutinib)
Generic name	Pembrolizumab	Acalabrutinib
Indications	Various types of cancers including melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and others	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
Mechanism of action	Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody	Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor
Brand names	Keytruda	Calquence
Administrative route	Intravenous infusion	Oral
Side effects	Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea, rash, fever, cough, dyspnea, constipation, pain in extremity, and headache	Headache, diarrhea, bruising, fatigue, myalgia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, rash, and infections
Contraindications	Hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab or any of its excipients	Hypersensitivity to acalabrutinib or any of its excipients, severe hepatic impairment
Drug class	Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody	Small molecule kinase inhibitor
Manufacturer	Merck & Co.	AstraZeneca

Efficacy

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) Efficacy in Lymphoma

Keytruda, also known by its generic name pembrolizumab, is a type of immunotherapy that has shown efficacy in treating certain types of lymphoma. Specifically, Keytruda has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), or those who have relapsed after three or more prior lines of therapy. In clinical trials, pembrolizumab demonstrated a significant response rate in these patients, with many achieving partial or complete remission of their disease. The effectiveness of Keytruda in lymphoma is attributed to its mechanism of action, which involves blocking the PD-1 pathway, thereby enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells.

While the use of Keytruda in lymphoma has been promising, its efficacy can vary based on several factors, including the specific subtype of lymphoma and the patient's prior treatments. The response rates and duration of response also differ among individuals. Therefore, the decision to use Keytruda is made on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient's overall health and treatment history.

Calquence (Acalabrutinib) Efficacy in Lymphoma

Calquence, with the generic name acalabrutinib, is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. The approval was based on the overall response rate observed in clinical trials, where a significant proportion of patients showed a reduction in tumor burden. Acalabrutinib has been shown to be effective in delaying disease progression and improving survival outcomes in patients with MCL, a typically aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Furthermore, ongoing research is evaluating the potential of acalabrutinib in other types of lymphoma, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), where it has also shown promising results. As with any medication, the efficacy of Calquence may be influenced by individual patient characteristics and previous treatments. It is important for healthcare providers to assess the potential benefits and risks when considering acalabrutinib for their patients with lymphoma.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Keytruda

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Health Canada
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
Medsafe (NZ)

Calquence

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Health Canada
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Japan
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia

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