Keytruda Adverse Reactions

Most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥20% of patients) were: KEYTRUDA as a single agent: fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, rash, diarrhea, pyrexia, cough, decreased appetite, pruritus, dyspnea, constipation, pain, abdominal pain, nausea, and hypothyroidism.
KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy: fatigue/asthenia, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting, cough, dyspnea, pyrexia, alopecia, peripheral neuropathy, mucosal inflammation, stomatitis, headache, weight loss, abdominal pain, arthralgia, myalgia, insomnia, and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia.
KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab: peripheral neuropathy, alopecia, anemia, fatigue/asthenia, nausea, neutropenia, diarrhea, hypertension, thrombocytopenia, constipation, arthralgia, vomiting, urinary tract infection, rash, leukopenia, hypothyroidism, and decreased appetite.
KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib: diarrhea, fatigue/asthenia, hypertension, hepatotoxicity, hypothyroidism, decreased appetite, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, stomatitis/mucosal inflammation, dysphonia, rash, cough, and constipation.
KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib: hypothyroidism, hypertension, fatigue, diarrhea, musculoskeletal disorder, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, stomatitis, weight loss, abdominal pain, urinary tract infection, proteinuria, constipation, headache, hemorrhagic events, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, dysphonia, rash, hepatotoxicity, and acute kidney injury.
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described in Precautions: Severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions; Infusion-related reactions.
Clinical Trials Experience: Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The data described in Precautions reflect exposure to KEYTRUDA as a single agent in 2799 patients in three randomized, open-label, active-controlled trials (KEYNOTE-002, KEYNOTE-006, and KEYNOTE-010), which enrolled 912 patients with melanoma and 682 patients with NSCLC, and one single-arm trial (KEYNOTE-001), which enrolled 655 patients with melanoma and 550 patients with NSCLC. In addition to the 2799 patients, certain subsections in Precautions describe adverse reactions observed with exposure to KEYTRUDA as a single agent in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial (KEYNOTE-091), which enrolled 580 patients with resected NSCLC, a non-randomized, open-label, multi-cohort trial (KEYNOTE-012), a non-randomized, open-label, single-cohort trial (KEYNOTE-055), and two randomized, open-label, active-controlled trials (KEYNOTE-040 and KEYNOTE-048 single agent arms), which enrolled 909 patients with HNSCC; in two non-randomized, open-label trials (KEYNOTE-013 and KEYNOTE-087), and one randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial (KEYNOTE-204), which enrolled 389 patients with cHL; in a randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial (KEYNOTE-048 combination arm), which enrolled 276 patients with HNSCC; in combination with axitinib in a randomized, active-controlled trial (KEYNOTE-426), which enrolled 429 patients with RCC; and in post-marketing use. Across all trials, KEYTRUDA was administered at doses of 2 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks, 10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks, 10 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks, or 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks. Among the 2799 patients, 41% were exposed for 6 months or more and 21% were exposed for 12 months or more.
Melanoma: Ipilimumab-Naive Melanoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who had not received prior ipilimumab and who had received no more than one prior systemic therapy was investigated in KEYNOTE-006. KEYNOTE-006 was a multicenter, open-label, active-controlled trial where patients were randomized (1:1:1) and received KEYTRUDA 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (n=278) or KEYTRUDA 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks (n=277) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or ipilimumab 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for 4 doses unless discontinued earlier for disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (n=256) [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with autoimmune disease, a medical condition that required systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication; a history of interstitial lung disease; or active infection requiring therapy, including HIV or hepatitis B or C, were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure was 5.6 months (range: 1 day to 11.0 months) for KEYTRUDA and similar in both treatment arms. Fifty-one and 46% of patients received KEYTRUDA 10 mg/kg every 2 or 3 weeks, respectively, for ≥6 months. No patients in either arm received treatment for more than one year.
The study population characteristics were: median age of 62 years (range: 18 to 89); 60% male; 98% White; 32% had an elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) value at baseline; 65% had M1c stage disease; 9% with history of brain metastasis; and approximately 36% had been previously treated with systemic therapy which included a BRAF inhibitor (15%), chemotherapy (13%), and immunotherapy (6%).
In KEYNOTE-006, the adverse reaction profile was similar for the every 2 week and every 3 week schedule, therefore summary safety results are provided in a pooled analysis (n=555) of both KEYTRUDA arms. Adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA occurred in 9% of patients. Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in more than one patient were colitis (1.4%), autoimmune hepatitis (0.7%), allergic reaction (0.4%), polyneuropathy (0.4%), and cardiac failure (0.4%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 21% of patients; the most common (≥1%) was diarrhea (2.5%). Tables 41 and 42 summarize selected adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-006. (See Tables 41 and 42.)

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Other clinically important adverse reactions occurring in ≥10% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA were diarrhea (26%), nausea (21%), and pruritus (17%).

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Other laboratory abnormalities occurring in ≥20% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA were increased hypoalbuminemia (27% all Grades; 2.4% Grades 3-4), increased ALT (23% all Grades; 3.1% Grades 3-4), and increased alkaline phosphatase (21% all Grades, 2% Grades 3-4).
Ipilimumab-Refractory Melanoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with disease progression following ipilimumab and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor, was investigated in KEYNOTE-002. KEYNOTE-002 was a multicenter, partially blinded (KEYTRUDA dose), randomized (1:1:1), active-controlled trial in which 528 patients received KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg (n=178) or 10 mg/kg (n=179) every 3 weeks or investigator's choice of chemotherapy (n=171), consisting of dacarbazine (26%), temozolomide (25%), paclitaxel and carboplatin (25%), paclitaxel (16%), or carboplatin (8%) [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with autoimmune disease, severe immune-related toxicity related to ipilimumab, defined as any Grade 4 toxicity or Grade 3 toxicity requiring corticosteroid treatment (greater than 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent dose) for greater than 12 weeks; medical conditions that required systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication; a history of interstitial lung disease; or an active infection requiring therapy, including HIV or hepatitis B or C, were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks was 3.7 months (range: 1 day to 16.6 months) and to KEYTRUDA 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks was 4.8 months (range: 1 day to 16.8 months). In the KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg arm, 36% of patients were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥6 months and 4% were exposed for ≥12 months. In the KEYTRUDA 10 mg/kg arm, 41% of patients were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥6 months and 6% of patients were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥12 months.
The study population characteristics were: median age of 62 years (range: 15 to 89); 61% male; 98% White; 41% had an elevated LDH value at baseline; 83% had M1c stage disease; 73% received two or more prior therapies for advanced or metastatic disease (100% received ipilimumab and 25% a BRAF inhibitor); and 15% with history of brain metastasis.
In KEYNOTE-002, the adverse reaction profile was similar for the 2 mg/kg dose and 10 mg/kg dose, therefore summary safety results are provided in a pooled analysis (n=357) of both KEYTRUDA arms. Adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation occurred in 12% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA; the most common (≥1%) were general physical health deterioration (1%), asthenia (1%), dyspnea (1%), pneumonitis (1%), and generalized edema (1%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 14% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were dyspnea (1%), diarrhea (1%), and maculo-papular rash (1%). Tables 43 and 44 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-002. (See Tables 43 and 44.)

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Other clinically important adverse reactions occurring in patients receiving KEYTRUDA were fatigue (43%), nausea (22%), decreased appetite (20%), vomiting (13%), and peripheral neuropathy (1.7%).

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Other laboratory abnormalities occurring in ≥20% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA were anemia (44% all Grades; 10% Grades 3-4) and lymphopenia (40% all Grades; 9% Grades 3-4).
Adjuvant Treatment of Resected Stage IIB or IIC Melanoma: Among the 969 patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma enrolled in KEYNOTE-716 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions] treated with KEYTRUDA, the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 9.9 months (range: 0 to 15.4 months). Patients with autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression or mucosal or ocular melanoma were ineligible. Adverse reactions occurring in patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma were similar to those occurring in 1011 patients with stage III melanoma from KEYNOTE-054 or the 2799 patients with melanoma or NSCLC treated with KEYTRUDA as a single agent.
Adjuvant Treatment of Stage III Resected Melanoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA as a single agent was investigated in KEYNOTE-054, a randomized (1:1) double-blind trial in which 1019 patients with completely resected stage IIIA (>1 mm lymph node metastasis), IIIB or IIIC melanoma received 200 mg of KEYTRUDA by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks (n=509) or placebo (n=502) for up to one year [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with active autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression or mucosal or ocular melanoma were ineligible. Seventy-six percent of patients received KEYTRUDA for 6 months or longer.
The study population characteristics were: median age of 54 years (range: 19 to 88), 25% age 65 or older; 62% male; and 94% ECOG PS of 0 and 6% ECOG PS of 1. Sixteen percent had stage IIIA, 46% had stage IIIB, 18% had stage IIIC (1-3 positive lymph nodes), and 20% had stage IIIC (≥4 positive lymph nodes).
Two patients treated with KEYTRUDA died from causes other than disease progression; causes of death were drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and autoimmune myositis with respiratory failure. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. Adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation occurred in 14% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA; the most common (≥1%) were pneumonitis (1.4%), colitis (1.2%), and diarrhea (1%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 19% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were diarrhea (2.4%), pneumonitis (2%), increased ALT (1.4%), arthralgia (1.4%), increased AST (1.4%), dyspnea (1%), and fatigue (1%). Tables 45 and 46 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-054. (See Tables 45 and 46.)

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NSCLC: First-line treatment of metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with pemetrexed and investigator's choice of platinum (either carboplatin or cisplatin) was investigated in KEYNOTE-189, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized (2:1), active-controlled trial in patients with previously untreated, metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. A total of 607 patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg, pemetrexed and platinum every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed by KEYTRUDA and pemetrexed (n=405) or placebo, pemetrexed, and platinum every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed by placebo and pemetrexed (n=202). Patients with autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within 2 years of treatment; a medical condition that required immunosuppression; or who had received more than 30 Gy of thoracic radiation within the prior 26 weeks were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks was 7.2 months (range: 1 day to 20.1 months). Sixty percent of patients in the KEYTRUDA arm were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥6 months. Seventy-two percent of patients received carboplatin.
The study population characteristics were: median age of 64 years (range: 34 to 84), 49% age 65 or older; 59% male; 94% White and 3% Asian; and 18% with history of brain metastases at baseline.
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 20% of patients. The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA were pneumonitis (3%) and acute kidney injury (2%). Adverse reactions leading to the interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 53% of patients; the most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were neutropenia (13%), asthenia/fatigue (7%), anemia (7%), thrombocytopenia (5%), diarrhea (4%), pneumonia (4%), increased blood creatinine (3%), dyspnea (2%), febrile neutropenia (2%), upper respiratory tract infection (2%), increased ALT (2%), and pyrexia (2%). Tables 47 and 48 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-189. (See Tables 47 and 48.)

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First-line treatment of metastatic squamous NSCLC with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound chemotherapy: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with carboplatin and investigator's choice of either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound was investigated in KEYNOTE-407, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled trial in 558 patients with previously untreated, metastatic squamous NSCLC [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Safety data are available for the first 203 patients who received KEYTRUDA and chemotherapy (n=101) or placebo and chemotherapy (n=102). Patients with autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within 2 years of treatment; a medical condition that required immunosuppression; or who had received more than 30 Gy of thoracic radiation within the prior 26 weeks were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 7 months (range: 1 day to 12 months). Sixty-one percent of patients in the KEYTRUDA arm were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥6 months. A total of 139 of 203 patients (68%) received paclitaxel and 64 patients (32%) received paclitaxel protein-bound in combination with carboplatin.
The study population characteristics were: median age of 65 years (range: 40 to 83), 52% age 65 or older; 78% male; 83% White; and 9% with history of brain metastases.
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 15% of patients, with no single type of adverse reaction accounting for the majority. Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 43% of patients; the most common (≥2%) were thrombocytopenia (20%), neutropenia (11%), anemia (6%), asthenia (2%), and diarrhea (2%). The most frequent (≥2%) serious adverse reactions were febrile neutropenia (6%), pneumonia (6%), and urinary tract infection (3%).
The adverse reactions observed in KEYNOTE-407 were similar to those observed in KEYNOTE-189 with the exception that increased incidences of alopecia (47% vs. 36%) and peripheral neuropathy (31% vs. 25%) were observed in the KEYTRUDA and chemotherapy arm compared to the placebo and chemotherapy arm in KEYNOTE-407.
Previously Untreated NSCLC: The safety of KEYTRUDA was investigated in KEYNOTE-042, a multicenter, open-label, randomized (1:1), active-controlled trial in 1251 patients with PD-L1 expressing, previously untreated stage III NSCLC who were not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation or metastatic NSCLC [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks (n=636) or investigator's choice of chemotherapy (n=615), consisting of pemetrexed and carboplatin followed by optional pemetrexed (n=312) or paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by optional pemetrexed (n=303) every 3 weeks. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations; autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within 2 years of treatment; a medical condition that required immunosuppression; or who had received more than 30 Gy of thoracic radiation within the prior 26 weeks were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 5.6 months (range: 1 day to 27.3 months). Forty-eight percent of patients in the KEYTRUDA arm were exposed to KEYTRUDA 200 mg for ≥6 months.
The study population characteristics were: median age of 63 years (range: 25 to 90), 45% age 65 or older; 71% male; and 64% White, 30% Asian, and 2% Black. Nineteen percent were Hispanic or Latino. Eighty-seven percent had metastatic disease (stage IV), 13% had stage III disease (2% stage IIIA and 11% stage IIIB), and 5% had treated brain metastases at baseline.
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 19% of patients. The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA were pneumonitis (3.0%), death due to unknown cause (1.6%), and pneumonia (1.4%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 33% of patients; the most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were pneumonitis (3.1%), pneumonia (3.0%), hypothyroidism (2.2%), and increased ALT (2.0%). The most frequent (≥2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia (7%), pneumonitis (3.9%), pulmonary embolism (2.4%), and pleural effusion (2.2%).
Tables 49 and 50 summarize the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients treated with KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-042. (See Tables 49 and 50.)

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Previously Treated NSCLC: The safety of KEYTRUDA was investigated in KEYNOTE-010, a multicenter, open-label, randomized (1:1:1), active-controlled trial, in patients with advanced NSCLC who had documented disease progression following treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy and, if positive for EGFR or ALK genetic aberrations, appropriate therapy for these aberrations [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. A total of 991 patients received KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg (n=339) or 10 mg/kg (n=343) every 3 weeks or docetaxel (n=309) at 75 mg/m² every 3 weeks. Patients with autoimmune disease, medical conditions that required systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication, or who had received more than 30 Gy of thoracic radiation within the prior 26 weeks were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks was 3.5 months (range: 1 day to 22.4 months) and to KEYTRUDA 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks was 3.5 months (range 1 day to 20.8 months). The data described as follows reflect exposure to KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg in 31% of patients exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥6 months. In the KEYTRUDA 10 mg/kg arm, 34% of patients were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥6 months.
The study population characteristics were: median age of 63 years (range: 20 to 88), 42% age 65 or older; 61% male; 72% White and 21% Asian; and 8% with advanced localized disease, 91% with metastatic disease, and 15% with history of brain metastases. Twenty-nine percent received two or more prior systemic treatments for advanced or metastatic disease.
In KEYNOTE-010, the adverse reaction profile was similar for the 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg dose, therefore summary safety results are provided in a pooled analysis (n=682). Treatment was discontinued for adverse reactions in 8% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. The most common adverse events resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA was pneumonitis (1.8%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 23% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were diarrhea (1%), fatigue (1.3%), pneumonia (1%), liver enzyme elevation (1.2%), decreased appetite (1.3%), and pneumonitis (1%). Tables 51 and 52 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-010. (See Tables 51 and 52.)

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Other clinically important adverse reactions occurring in patients receiving KEYTRUDA were fatigue (25%), diarrhea (14%), asthenia (11%) and pyrexia (11%).

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Other laboratory abnormalities occurring in ≥20% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA were hyperglycemia (44% all Grades; 4.1% Grades 3-4), anemia (37% all Grades; 3.8% Grades 3-4), hypertriglyceridemia (36% all Grades; 1.8% Grades 3-4), lymphopenia (35% all Grades; 9% Grades 3-4), hypoalbuminemia (34% all Grades; 1.6% Grades 3-4), and hypercholesterolemia (20% all Grades; 0.7% Grades 3-4).
Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment of Resectable NSCLC: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with neoadjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy followed by surgery and continued adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent after surgery was investigated in KEYNOTE-671, a multicenter, randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with previously untreated and resectable Stage II, IIIA, or IIIB (N2) NSCLC by AJCC 8^th edition [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with active autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within 2 years of treatment or a medical condition that required immunosuppression were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks was 10.9 months (range: 1 day to 18.6 months). The study population characteristics were: median age of 64 years (range: 26 to 83), 45% age 65 or older, 7% age 75 or older; 71% male; 61% White, 31% Asian, 2% Black, 4% race not reported; 9% Hispanic or Latino.
Adverse reactions occurring in patients with resectable NSCLC receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy, given as neoadjuvant treatment and continued as single agent adjuvant treatment, were generally similar to those occurring in patients in other clinical trials across tumor types receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy.
Neoadjuvant Phase of KEYNOTE-671: A total of 396 patients received at least 1 dose of KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment and 399 patients received at least 1 dose of placebo in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 34% of patients who received KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment; the most frequent (≥2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia (4.8%), venous thromboembolism (3.3%), and anemia (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.3% of patients, including death due to unknown cause (0.8%), sepsis (0.3%), and immune-mediated lung disease (0.3%).
Permanent discontinuation of any study drug due to an adverse reaction occurred in 18% of patients who received KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment; the most frequent (≥1%) adverse reactions that led to permanent discontinuation of any study drug were acute kidney injury (1.8%), interstitial lung disease (1.8%), anemia (1.5%), neutropenia (1.5%), and pneumonia (1.3%).
Of the 396 KEYTRUDA-treated patients and 399 placebo-treated patients who received neoadjuvant treatment, 6% (n=25) and 4.3% (n=17), respectively, did not receive surgery due to adverse reactions. The most frequent (≥1%) adverse reactions that led to cancellation of surgery in the KEYTRUDA arm was interstitial lung disease (1%).
Of the 325 KEYTRUDA-treated patients who received surgery, 3.1% (n=10) experienced delay of surgery (surgery more than 8 weeks from last neoadjuvant treatment if patient received less than 4 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy or more than 20 weeks after first dose of neoadjuvant treatment if patient received 4 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy) due to adverse reactions. Of the 317 placebo-treated patients who received surgery, 2.5% (n=8) experienced delay of surgery due to adverse reactions.
Of the 325 KEYTRUDA-treated patients who received surgery, 7% (n=22) did not receive adjuvant treatment due to adverse reactions. Of the 317 placebo-treated patients who received surgery, 3.2% (n=10) did not receive adjuvant treatment due to adverse reactions.
Adjuvant Phase of KEYNOTE-671: A total of 290 patients in the KEYTRUDA arm and 267 patients in the placebo arm received at least 1 dose of adjuvant treatment.
Of the patients who received single agent KEYTRUDA as adjuvant treatment, 14% experienced serious adverse reactions; the most frequent serious adverse reaction was pneumonia (3.4%). One fatal adverse reaction of pulmonary hemorrhage occurred. Permanent discontinuation of adjuvant KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 12% of patients; the most frequent (≥1%) adverse reactions that led to permanent discontinuation of adjuvant KEYTRUDA were diarrhea (1.7%), interstitial lung disease (1.4%), AST increased (1%), and musculoskeletal pain (1%).
Adjuvant Treatment of Resected NSCLC: The safety of KEYTRUDA as a single agent was investigated in KEYNOTE-091, a multicenter, randomized (1:1), triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with completely resected Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC; adjuvant chemotherapy up to 4 cycles was optional [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. A total of 1161 patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg (n=580) or placebo (n=581) every 3 weeks. Patients were ineligible if they had active autoimmune disease, were on chronic immunosuppressive agents or had a history of interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 11.7 months (range: 1 day to 18.9 months). Sixty-eight percent of patients in the KEYTRUDA arm were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥6 months.
The adverse reactions observed in KEYNOTE-091 were generally similar to those occurring in other patients with NSCLC receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, with the exception of hypothyroidism (22%), hyperthyroidism (11%), and pneumonitis (7%). Two fatal adverse reactions of myocarditis occurred.
Urothelial Carcinoma: Cisplatin Ineligible Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA was investigated in KEYNOTE-052, a single-arm trial that enrolled 370 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who were not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. Patients with autoimmune disease or medical conditions that required systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications were ineligible [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks until unacceptable toxicity or either radiographic or clinical disease progression.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 2.8 months (range: 1 day to 15.8 months).
KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 11% of patients. Eighteen patients (5%) died from causes other than disease progression. Five patients (1.4%) who were treated with KEYTRUDA experienced sepsis which led to death, and three patients (0.8%) experienced pneumonia which led to death. Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 22% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were liver enzyme increase, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, acute kidney injury, fatigue, joint pain, and pneumonia. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were urinary tract infection, hematuria, acute kidney injury, pneumonia, and urosepsis.
Immune-related adverse reactions that required systemic glucocorticoids occurred in 8% of patients, use of hormonal supplementation due to an immune-related adverse reaction occurred in 8% of patients, and 5% of patients required at least one steroid dose ≥40 mg oral prednisone equivalent.
Table 53 summarizes adverse reactions in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-052. (See Table 53.)

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Previously Treated Urothelial Carcinoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with disease progression following platinum-containing chemotherapy was investigated in KEYNOTE-045. KEYNOTE-045 was a multicenter, open-label, randomized (1:1), active-controlled trial in which 266 patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks or investigator's choice of chemotherapy (n=255), consisting of paclitaxel (n=84), docetaxel (n=84) or vinflunine (n=87) [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications were ineligible.
The median duration of exposure was 3.5 months (range: 1 day to 20 months) in patients who received KEYTRUDA and 1.5 months (range: 1 day to 14 months) in patients who received chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 8% of patients. The most common adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA was pneumonitis (1.9%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 20% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were urinary tract infection (1.5%), diarrhea (1.5%), and colitis (1.1%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 39% of KEYTRUDA-treated patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥2%) in KEYTRUDA-treated patients were urinary tract infection, pneumonia, anemia, and pneumonitis. Tables 54 and 55 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-045. (See Tables 54 and 55.)

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BCG-unresponsive High-risk NMIBC: The safety of KEYTRUDA was investigated in KEYNOTE-057, a multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial that enrolled 148 patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), 96 of whom had BCG-unresponsive carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors. Patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks until unacceptable toxicity, persistent or recurrent high-risk NMIBC or progressive disease, or up to 24 months of therapy without disease progression.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 4.3 months (range: 1 day to 25.6 months).
KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 11% of patients. The most common adverse (>1%) reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA was pneumonitis (1.4%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 22% of patients; the most common (≥2%) were diarrhea (4%) and urinary tract infection (2%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 28% of KEYTRUDA-treated patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥2%) in KEYTRUDA-treated patients were pneumonia (3%), cardiac ischemia (2%), colitis (2%), pulmonary embolism (2%), sepsis (2%), and urinary tract infection (2%). Tables 56 and 57 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-057. (See Tables 56 and 57.)

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Relapsed or Refractory cHL: KEYNOTE-204: The safety of KEYTRUDA was evaluated in KEYNOTE-204 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Adults with relapsed or refractory cHL received KEYTRUDA 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks (n=148) or brentuximab vedotin (BV) 1.8 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks (n=152). The trial required an ANC ≥1000/µL, platelet count ≥75,000/µL, hepatic transaminases ≤2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), bilirubin ≤1.5 times ULN, and ECOG performance status of 0 or 1. The trial excluded patients with active non-infectious pneumonitis, prior pneumonitis requiring steroids, active autoimmune disease, a medical condition requiring immunosuppression, or allogeneic HSCT within the past 5 years. The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 10 months (range: 1 day to 2.2 years), with 68% receiving at least 6 months of treatment and 48% receiving at least 1 year of treatment.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients who received KEYTRUDA. Serious adverse reactions in ≥1% included pneumonitis, pneumonia, pyrexia, myocarditis, acute kidney injury, febrile neutropenia, and sepsis. Three patients (2%) died from causes other than disease progression: two from complications after allogeneic HSCT and one from unknown cause.
Permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 14% of patients; 7% of patients discontinued treatment due to pneumonitis. Dosage interruption of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 30% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption in ≥3% of patients were upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonitis, transaminase increase, and pneumonia.
Thirty-eight percent of patients had an adverse reaction requiring systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Table 58 summarizes adverse reactions in KEYNOTE-204. (See Table 58.)

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Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients who received KEYTRUDA included herpes virus infection (9%), pneumonia (8%), oropharyngeal pain (8%), hyperthyroidism (5%), hypersensitivity (4.1%), infusion reactions (3.4%), altered mental state (2.7%), and in 1.4% each, uveitis, myocarditis, thyroiditis, febrile neutropenia, sepsis, and tumor flare.
Table 59 summarizes laboratory abnormalities in KEYNOTE-204. (See Table 59.)

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KEYNOTE-087: Among the 210 patients with cHL who received KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-087 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions], the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 8.4 months (range: 1 day to 15.2 months). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 16% of patients who received KEYTRUDA. Serious adverse reactions that occurred in ≥1% of patients included pneumonia, pneumonitis, pyrexia, dyspnea, graft versus host disease (GVHD) and herpes zoster. Two patients died from causes other than disease progression; one from GVHD after subsequent allogeneic HSCT and one from septic shock.
Permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 5% of patients and dosage interruption due to an adverse reaction occurred in 26%. Fifteen percent of patients had an adverse reaction requiring systemic corticosteroid therapy. Tables 60 and 61 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in KEYNOTE-087. (See Tables 60 and 61.)

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Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients who received KEYTRUDA included infusion reactions (9%), hyperthyroidism (3%), pneumonitis (3%), uveitis and myositis (1% each), and myelitis and myocarditis (0.5% each).

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Hyperbilirubinemia occurred in less than 15% of patients on KEYNOTE-087 (10% all Grades, 2.4% Grade 3-4).
RCC: In combination with axitinib in the first-line treatment of advanced RCC (KEYNOTE-426): The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib was investigated in KEYNOTE-426 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with medical conditions that required systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications or had a history of severe autoimmune disease other than type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, Sjogren's syndrome, and hypothyroidism stable on hormone replacement were ineligible. Patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks and axitinib 5 mg orally twice daily, or sunitinib 50 mg once daily for 4 weeks and then off treatment for 2 weeks. The median duration of exposure to the combination therapy of KEYTRUDA and axitinib was 10.4 months (range: 1 day to 21.2 months).
The study population characteristics were: median age of 62 years (range: 30 to 89), 40% age 65 or older; 71% male; 80% White; and 80% Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) of 90-100 and 20% KPS of 70-80.
Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.3% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib. These included 3 cases of cardiac arrest, 2 cases of pulmonary embolism and 1 case each of cardiac failure, death due to unknown cause, myasthenia gravis, myocarditis, Fournier's gangrene, plasma cell myeloma, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 40% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib. Serious adverse reactions in ≥1% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib included hepatotoxicity (7%), diarrhea (4.2%), acute kidney injury (2.3%), dehydration (1%), and pneumonitis (1%).
Permanent discontinuation due to an adverse reaction of either KEYTRUDA or axitinib occurred in 31% of patients; 13% KEYTRUDA only, 13% axitinib only, and 8% both drugs. The most common adverse reaction (>1%) resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA, axitinib, or the combination was hepatotoxicity (13%), diarrhea/colitis (1.9%), acute kidney injury (1.6%), and cerebrovascular accident (1.2%).
Dose interruptions or reductions due to an adverse reaction, excluding temporary interruptions of KEYTRUDA infusions due to infusion-related reactions, occurred in 76% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib. This includes interruption of KEYTRUDA in 50% of patients. Axitinib was interrupted in 64% of patients and dose reduced in 22% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (>10%) resulting in interruption of KEYTRUDA were hepatotoxicity (14%) and diarrhea (11%), and the most common adverse reactions (>10%) resulting in either interruption or reduction of axitinib were hepatotoxicity (21%), diarrhea (19%), and hypertension (18%).
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients receiving KEYTRUDA and axitinib were diarrhea, fatigue/asthenia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, decreased appetite, hepatotoxicity, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, stomatitis/mucosal inflammation, dysphonia, rash, cough, and constipation.
Twenty-seven percent (27%) of patients treated with KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib received an oral prednisone dose equivalent to ≥40 mg daily for an immune-mediated adverse reaction.
Tables 62 and 63 summarize the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, that occurred in at least 20% of patients treated with KEYTRUDA and axitinib in KEYNOTE-426. (See Tables 62 and 63.)

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In combination with lenvatinib in the first-line treatment of advanced RCC (KEYNOTE-581): The safety of KEYTRUDA was evaluated in KEYNOTE-581 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks in combination with lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily (n=352), or lenvatinib 18 mg orally once daily in combination with everolimus 5 mg orally once daily (n=355), or sunitinib 50 mg orally once daily for 4 weeks then off treatment for 2 weeks (n=340). The median duration of exposure to the combination therapy of KEYTRUDA and lenvatinib was 17 months (range: 0.1 to 39).
Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients treated with KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib, including cardio-respiratory arrest (0.9%), sepsis (0.9%), and one case (0.3%) each of arrhythmia, autoimmune hepatitis, dyspnea, hypertensive crisis, increased blood creatinine, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myasthenic syndrome, myocarditis, nephritis, pneumonitis, ruptured aneurysm, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 51% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA and lenvatinib. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients were hemorrhagic events (5%), diarrhea (4%), hypertension (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonitis (3%), vomiting (3%), acute kidney injury (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), dyspnea (2%), and pneumonia (2%).
Permanent discontinuation of either of KEYTRUDA, lenvatinib or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 37% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib; 29% KEYTRUDA only, 26% lenvatinib only, and 13% both. The most common adverse reactions (≥2%) resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA, lenvatinib, or the combination were pneumonitis (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), hepatotoxicity (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), rash (3%), and diarrhea (2%).
Dose interruptions of KEYTRUDA, lenvatinib, or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 78% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib. KEYTRUDA was interrupted in 55% of patients and both drugs were interrupted in 39% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥3%) resulting in interruption of KEYTRUDA were diarrhea (10%), hepatotoxicity (8%), fatigue (7%), lipase increased (5%), amylase increased (4%), musculoskeletal pain (3%), hypertension (3%), rash (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), and decreased appetite (3%).
Fifteen percent (15%) of patients treated with KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib received an oral prednisone equivalent to ≥40 mg daily for an immune-mediated adverse reaction.
Tables 64 and 65 summarize the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, that occurred in ≥20% of patients treated with KEYTRUDA and lenvatinib in KEYNOTE-581. (See Tables 64 and 65.)

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Clinically relevant adverse reactions (<20%) that occurred in patients receiving KEYTRUDA with lenvatinib were myocardial infarction (3%) and angina pectoris (1%).

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Grade 3 and 4 increased ALT or AST was seen in 9% of patients. Grade ≥2 increased ALT or AST was reported in 64 (18%) patients, of whom 20 (31%) received ≥40 mg daily oral prednisone equivalent. Recurrence of Grade ≥2 increased ALT or AST was observed on rechallenge in 10 patients receiving both KEYTRUDA and lenvatinib (n=38) and was not observed on rechallenge with KEYTRUDA alone (n=3).
Adjuvant treatment of RCC: The safety of KEYTRUDA as a single agent was investigated in KEYNOTE-564, a randomized (1:1) double-blind placebo-controlled trial in which 984 patients who had undergone nephrectomy for RCC received 200 mg of KEYTRUDA by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks (n=488) or placebo (n=496) for up to one year [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 11.1 months (range: 1 day to 14.3 months). Patients with active autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression were ineligible.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 20% of these patients receiving KEYTRUDA. Serious adverse reactions (≥1%) were acute kidney injury, adrenal insufficiency, pneumonia, colitis, and diabetic ketoacidosis (1% each). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 0.2% of those treated with KEYTRUDA, including one case of pneumonia.
Discontinuation of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 21% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were increased ALT (1.6%), colitis (1%), and adrenal insufficiency (1%).
Dose interruptions of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 26% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were increased AST (2.3%), arthralgia (1.6%), hypothyroidism (1.6%), diarrhea (1.4%), increased ALT (1.4%), fatigue (1.4%), rash, decreased appetite, and vomiting (1% each). Tables 66 and 67 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-564. (See Tables 66 and 67.)

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Endometrial Carcinoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib was investigated in KEYNOTE-775, a multicenter, open-label, randomized (1:1), active-controlled trial in patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma previously treated with at least one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen in any setting, including in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with endometrial carcinoma that is pMMR or not MSI-H received KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks in combination with lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily (n=342) or received doxorubicin or paclitaxel (n=325).
For patients with pMMR or not MSI-H tumor status, the median duration of study treatment was 7.2 months (range: 1 day to 26.8 months) and the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 6.8 months (range: 1 day to 25.8 months).
Fatal adverse reactions among these patients occurred in 4.7% of those treated with KEYTRUDA and lenvatinib, including 2 cases of pneumonia, and 1 case of the following: acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction, colitis, decreased appetite, intestinal perforation, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, malignant gastrointestinal obstruction, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and right ventricular dysfunction.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 50% of these patients receiving KEYTRUDA and lenvatinib. Serious adverse reactions (≥3%) were hypertension (4.4%) and urinary tract infections (3.2%).
Discontinuation of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 15% of these patients. The most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥1%) was increased ALT (1.2%).
Dose interruptions of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 48% of these patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥3%) were diarrhea (8%), increased ALT (4.4%), increased AST (3.8%), and hypertension (3.5%).
Tables 68 and 69 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib in KEYNOTE-775. (See Tables 68 and 69.)

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HNSCC: First-line treatment of metastatic or unresectable, recurrent HNSCC: The safety of KEYTRUDA, as a single agent and in combination with platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin) and FU chemotherapy, was investigated in KEYNOTE-048, a multicenter, open-label, randomized (1:1:1), active-controlled trial in patients with previously untreated, recurrent or metastatic HNSCC [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. Patients with autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within 2 years of treatment or a medical condition that required immunosuppression were ineligible. A total of 576 patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks either as a single agent (n=300) or in combination with platinum and FU (n=276) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by KEYTRUDA, compared to 287 patients who received cetuximab weekly in combination with platinum and FU every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by cetuximab.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 3.5 months (range: 1 day to 24.2 months) in the KEYTRUDA single agent arm and was 5.8 months (range: 3 days to 24.2 months) in the combination arm. Seventeen percent of patients in the KEYTRUDA single agent arm and 18% of patients in the combination arm were exposed to KEYTRUDA for ≥12 months. Fifty-seven percent of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy started treatment with carboplatin.
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 12% of patients in the KEYTRUDA single agent arm. The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA were sepsis (1.7%) and pneumonia (1.3%). Adverse reactions leading to the interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 31% of patients; the most common adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were pneumonia (2.3%), pneumonitis (2.3%), and hyponatremia (2%).
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 16% of patients in the combination arm. The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA were pneumonia (2.5%), pneumonitis (1.8%), and septic shock (1.4%). Adverse reactions leading to the interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 45% of patients; the most common adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were neutropenia (14%), thrombocytopenia (10%), anemia (6%), pneumonia (4.7%), and febrile neutropenia (2.9%).
Tables 70 and 71 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-048. (See Tables 70 and 71.)

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Esophageal Cancer: First-line Treatment of Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Esophageal Cancer/Gastroesophageal Junction: The safety of KEYTRUDA, in combination with cisplatin and FU chemotherapy was investigated in KEYNOTE-590, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled trial for the first-line treatment in patients with metastatic or locally advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma who were not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. A total of 740 patients received either KEYTRUDA 200 mg (n=370) or placebo (n=370) every 3 weeks for up to 35 cycles, both in combination with up to 6 cycles of cisplatin and up to 35 cycles of FU.
The median duration of exposure was 5.7 months (range: 1 day to 26 months) in the KEYTRUDA combination arm and 5.1 months (range: 3 days to 27 months) in the chemotherapy arm.
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 15% of patients. The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥1%) were pneumonitis (1.6%), acute kidney injury (1.1%), and pneumonia (1.1%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 67% of patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were neutropenia (19%), fatigue/asthenia (8%), decreased white blood cell count (5%), pneumonia (5%), decreased appetite (4.3%), anemia (3.2%), increased blood creatinine (3.2%), stomatitis (3.2%), malaise (3.0%), thrombocytopenia (3%), pneumonitis (2.7%), diarrhea (2.4%), dysphagia (2.2%), and nausea (2.2%).
Tables 72 and 73 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-590. (See Tables 72 and 73.)

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Previously Treated Recurrent Locally Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Cancer: Among the 314 patients with esophageal cancer enrolled in KEYNOTE-181 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions] treated with KEYTRUDA, the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 2.1 months (range: 1 day to 24.4 months). Patients with autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression were ineligible. Adverse reactions occurring in patients with esophageal cancer were similar to those occurring in 2799 patients with melanoma or NSCLC treated with KEYTRUDA as a single agent.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer: Among the 153 patients with MSI-H or dMMR CRC enrolled in KEYNOTE-177 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions] treated with KEYTRUDA, the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 11.1 months (range: 1 day to 30.6 months). Patients with autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression were ineligible. Adverse reactions occurring in patients with MSI-H or dMMR CRC were similar to those occurring in 2799 patients with melanoma or NSCLC treated with KEYTRUDA as a single agent.
TMB-H Cancer: The safety of KEYTRUDA was investigated in 105 patients with TMB-H cancer enrolled in KEYNOTE-158 [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 4.9 months (range: 0.03 to 35.2 months). Adverse reactions occurring in patients with TMB-H cancer were similar to those occurring in patients with other solid tumors who received KEYTRUDA as a single agent.
TNBC: Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment of High-Risk Early-Stage TNBC: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel followed by doxorubicin or epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) followed by surgery and continued adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent was investigated in KEYNOTE-522, a randomized (2:1), multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with newly diagnosed, previously untreated, high-risk early-stage TNBC.
A total of 778 patients on the KEYTRUDA arm received at least 1 dose of KEYTRUDA in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by KEYTRUDA as adjuvant treatment after surgery, compared to 389 patients who received at least 1 dose of placebo in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by placebo as adjuvant treatment after surgery [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions].
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks was 13.3 months (range: 1 day to 21.9 months).
Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 0.9% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including 1 each of adrenal crisis, autoimmune encephalitis, hepatitis, pneumonia, pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, and sepsis in association with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and myocardial infarction.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 44% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients who received KEYTRUDA included febrile neutropenia (15%), pyrexia (3.7%), anemia (2.6%), and neutropenia (2.2%).
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 20% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥1%) resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA were increased ALT (2.7%), increased AST (1.5%), and rash (1%). Adverse reactions leading to the interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 57% of patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were neutropenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (6%), increased ALT (6%), increased AST (3.7%), anemia (3.5%), rash (3.2%), febrile neutropenia (2.8%), leukopenia (2.8%), upper respiratory tract infection (2.6%), pyrexia (2.2%), and fatigue (2.1%).
Tables 74 and 75 summarize the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients treated with KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-522. (See Tables 74 and 75.)

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Locally Recurrent Unresectable or Metastatic TNBC: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with paclitaxel, paclitaxel protein-bound, or gemcitabine and carboplatin was investigated in KEYNOTE-355, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized (2:1), placebo-controlled trial in patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC who had not been previously treated with chemotherapy in the metastatic setting [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. A total of 596 patients (including 34 patients from a safety run-in) received KEYTRUDA 200 mg every 3 weeks in combination with paclitaxel, paclitaxel protein-bound, or gemcitabine and carboplatin.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 5.7 months (range: 1 day to 33.0 months).
Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 2.5% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy, including cardio-respiratory arrest (0.7%) and septic shock (0.3%).
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with paclitaxel, paclitaxel protein-bound, or gemcitabine and carboplatin. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients were pneumonia (2.9%), anemia (2.2%), and thrombocytopenia (2%).
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 11% of patients. The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥1%) were increased ALT (2.2%), increased AST (1.5%), and pneumonitis (1.2%). Adverse reactions leading to the interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 50% of patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were neutropenia (22%), thrombocytopenia (14%), anemia (7%), increased ALT (6%), leukopenia (5%), increased AST (5%), decreased white blood cell count (3.9%), and diarrhea (2%).
Tables 76 and 77 summarize the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-355. (See Tables 76 and 77.)

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Cervical Cancer: Persistent, Recurrent, or Metastatic Cervical Cancer: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin or paclitaxel and carboplatin, with or without bevacizumab, was investigated in KEYNOTE-826, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled trial in patients with persistent, recurrent, or first-line metastatic cervical cancer who had not been treated with chemotherapy except when used concurrently as a radio-sensitizing agent [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. A total of 616 patients, regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression, received KEYTRUDA 200 mg and chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab (n=307) every 3 weeks or placebo and chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab (n=309) every 3 weeks.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 9.9 months (range: 1 day to 26 months).
Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.6% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab, including 3 cases of hemorrhage, 2 cases of sepsis, 2 cases due to unknown causes, and 1 case each of acute myocardial infarction, autoimmune encephalitis, cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular accident, femur fracture with perioperative pulmonary embolus, intestinal perforation, and pelvic infection.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 50% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab. Serious adverse reactions in ≥3% of patients included febrile neutropenia (6.8%), urinary tract infection (5.2%), anemia (4.6%), acute kidney injury (3.3%), and sepsis (3.3%).
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 15% of patients. The most common adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥1%) was colitis (1%).
Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 66% of patients; the most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were thrombocytopenia (15%), neutropenia (14%), anemia (11%), increased ALT (6%), leukopenia (5%), fatigue/asthenia (4.2%), urinary tract infection (3.6%), increased AST (3.3%), pyrexia (3.3%), diarrhea (2.6%), acute kidney injury (2.6%), increased blood creatinine (2.6%), colitis (2.3%), decreased appetite (2%), and cough (2%).
For patients treated with KEYTRUDA, chemotherapy, and bevacizumab (n=196), the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions were peripheral neuropathy (62%), alopecia (58%), anemia (55%), fatigue/asthenia (53%), nausea (41%), neutropenia (41%), diarrhea (39%), hypertension (35%), thrombocytopenia (35%), constipation (31%), arthralgia (31%), vomiting (30%), urinary tract infection (27%), rash (26%), leukopenia (24%), hypothyroidism (22%), and decreased appetite (21%).
Table 78 and Table 79 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-826. (See Tables 78 and 79.)

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BTC: The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, was investigated in KEYNOTE-966, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BTC who had not received prior systemic therapy in the advanced disease setting [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions]. A total of 1063 patients received either KEYTRUDA 200 mg plus gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy (n=529) or placebo plus gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy (n=534) every 3 weeks.
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 6 months (range: 1 day to 28 months).
KEYTRUDA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 15% of patients. The most common adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥1%) was pneumonitis (1.3%).
Adverse reactions leading to the interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 55% of patients. The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were decreased neutrophil count (18%), decreased platelet count (10%), anemia (6%), decreased white blood count (4%), pyrexia (3.8%), fatigue (3.0%), cholangitis (2.8%), increased ALT (2.6%), increased AST (2.5%), and biliary obstruction (2.3%).
In the KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy arms, there was a difference of ≥5% incidence in adverse reactions between patients treated with KEYTRUDA versus placebo for pyrexia (26% vs 20%), rash (21% vs 13%), pruritus (15% vs 10%), and hypothyroidism (9% vs. 2.6%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
There was a difference of ≥5% incidence in laboratory abnormalities between patients treated with KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy for decreased lymphocytes (69% vs 61%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
Gastric Cancer: First-line Treatment of Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Positive Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA was evaluated in 433 patients with HER2-positive gastric or GEJ cancer enrolled in KEYNOTE-811, which included 217 patients treated with KEYTRUDA 200 mg, trastuzumab, and CAPOX (n=189) or FP (n=28) every 3 weeks, compared to 216 patients treated with placebo, trastuzumab, and CAPOX (n=187) or FP (n=29) every 3 weeks [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions].
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 5.8 months (range: 1 day to 17.7 months).
The study population characteristics were: median age of 63 years (range: 19 to 84), 43% age 65 or older; 81% male; 58% White, 35% Asian, and 0.9% Black; 44% ECOG PS of 0 and 56% ECOG PS of 1.
KEYTRUDA and placebo were discontinued due to adverse reactions in 6% of patients in each arm. The most common adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA was pneumonitis (1.4%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 58% of patients; the most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were neutropenia (18%), thrombocytopenia (12%), diarrhea (6%), anemia (3.7%), hypokalemia (3.7%), fatigue/asthenia (3.2%), decreased appetite (3.2%), increased AST (2.8%), increased blood bilirubin (2.8%), pneumonia (2.8%), increased ALT (2.3%), and vomiting (2.3%).
In the KEYTRUDA arm versus placebo, there was a difference of ≥5% incidence between patients treated with KEYTRUDA versus standard of care for diarrhea (53% vs 44%), and nausea (49% vs 44%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
There was a difference of ≥5% incidence between patients treated with KEYTRUDA versus standard of care for increased ALT (34% vs 29%) and increased creatinine (20% vs 10%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
First-line Treatment of Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Negative Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: The safety of KEYTRUDA was evaluated in 1572 patients with HER2-negative gastric or GEJ cancer enrolled in KEYNOTE-859, which included 785 patients treated with KEYTRUDA 200 mg and FP (n=106) or CAPOX (n=674) every 3 weeks, compared to 787 patients who received placebo and FP (n=107) or CAPOX (n=679) every 3 weeks [see Pharmacology: Clinical Studies under Actions].
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 6.2 months (range: 1 day to 33.7 months).
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 45% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. Serious adverse reactions in >2% of patients included pneumonia (4.1%), diarrhea (3.9%), hemorrhage (3.9%), and vomiting (2.4%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 8% of patients who received KEYTRUDA, including infection (2.3%) and thromboembolism (1.3%).
Permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA due to adverse reactions occurred in 15% of patients. Adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in ≥1% were infections (1.8%) and diarrhea (1.0%).
Dosage interruptions of KEYTRUDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 65% of patients. Adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were neutropenia (21%), thrombocytopenia (13%), diarrhea (5.5%), fatigue (4.8%), infection (4.8%), anemia (4.5%), increased AST (4.3%), increased ALT (3.8%), increased blood bilirubin (3.3%), white blood cell count decreased (2.2%), nausea (2%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (2%), and vomiting (2%).
Tables 80 and 81 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients on KEYTRUDA in KEYNOTE-859. (See Tables 80 and 81.)

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Post-marketing Experience: The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of KEYTRUDA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Hepatobiliary: sclerosing cholangitis.