Best Cancer Medicines

 Drugs approved by the FDA for specific types of cancer are listed on this page. The drug names link to NCI's information summaries about these drugs. The pages are updated when new cancer drugs are approved. See Drugs Approved for Cancers.

1. Keytruda 50mg

What is Keytruda 50mg

Keytruda, is a humanized antibody used in cancer immunotherapy that treats melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, and certain types of breast cancer. It is given by slow injection into a vein.
Keytruda is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Keytruda is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of cancer such as:

• melanoma;
• non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC);
• head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC);
• classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL);
• primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL);
• urothelial carcinoma;
• microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors;
• microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer;
• gastric cancer;
• esophageal cancer;
• cervical cancer;
• hepatocellular carcinoma;
• Merkel cell carcinoma;
• renal cell carcinoma;
• endometrial carcinoma;
• tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) cancer;
• cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; or
• triple-negative breast cancer.

Keytruda is often given when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or cannot be treated with surgery or radiation, or when other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.

For some types of cancer, pembrolizumab is given only if your tumor tests positive for “PD-L1”, or if the tumor has been tested for a specific genetic marker (including “EGFR,” “ALK,” “HER2/neu,” or “TMB”).

Warnings

Keytruda can change the way your immune system works, which may cause certain side effects that can lead to serious medical problems.

Keytruda can cause side effects in many different parts of your body. Some side effects may need to be treated with other medicine, and your cancer treatments may be delayed. You will need frequent medical tests to help your doctor determine if it is safe for you to keep receiving Keytruda.

Call your doctor at once if you have: skin problems, vision problems, fever, swollen glands, neck stiffness, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, muscle or joint pain, pale skin, weakness, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, blood in your stools, bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, a hormonal disorder (frequent headaches, feeling light-headed, rapid heartbeats, a deeper voice, increased thirst or urination, feeling cold, weight gain or loss), or a change in the amount or color of your urine.

Before taking Keytruda 50mg

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

lung disease or a breathing disorder;

liver disease;

diabetes, or a thyroid disorder;

an adrenal gland disorder;

an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis; or

an organ transplant or stem cell transplant.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Do not use Keytruda if you are pregnant. Pembrolizumab could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 4 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using pembrolizumab, and for at least 4 months after your last dose.

How is Keytruda 50mg given

Keytruda is given as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 3 weeks or every 6 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Your doctor will perform a blood test to make sure Keytruda is the right treatment for your condition.

This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 30 minutes to complete.

You will need frequent medical tests to help your doctor determine if it is safe for you to keep receiving Keytruda. Do not miss any follow-up visits.

Dosing Information For Keytruda

Usual Adult Dose for Malignant Melanoma:

Monotherapy for unresectable or metastatic melanoma: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Adjuvant treatment of melanoma: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 12 months

Uses:

-Treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma

-Adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with Stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.

Usual Adult Dose for Melanoma — Metastatic:

Monotherapy for unresectable or metastatic melanoma: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Adjuvant treatment of melanoma: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 12 months

Uses:

-Treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma

-Adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with Stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.

Usual Adult Dose for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

MONOTHERAPY: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months

COMBINATION THERAPY: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months

-Administer this drug prior to chemotherapy when given on the same day

Uses:

-As a single agent for the first-line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1 (Tumor Proportion Score [TPS] 1% or greater) as determined by an FDA-approved test with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation OR metastatic

-As a single agent for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS 1% or greater) as determined by an FDA-approved test with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy; patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving this drug

-In combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for first-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

-In combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.

Usual Adult Dose for Head and Neck Cancer:

MONOTHERAPY: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months

COMBINATION THERAPY: 200 mg IV every 3 weeks OR 400 mg IV every 6 weeks

-Administer as IV infusion over 30 minutes until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months

-Administer this drug prior to chemotherapy when given on the same day

Uses:

-As a single agent for first line treatment of patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] greater than or equal to 1) as determined by an FDA-approved test

-As a single agent for treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.

-In combination with platinum and fluorouracil for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC.

Keytruda side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Keytruda: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel dizzy, light-headed, itchy, hot, sweaty, chilled, or have trouble breathing.

Pembrolizumab affects your immune system, and can cause side effects in many different parts of your body. Some side effects may need to be treated with other medicine.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• sores in your mouth, throat, or nose, or on your genital area;
• eye pain or vision problems;
• numbness, tingling, burning pain, redness, rash, or blisters on your hands or feet;
• severe muscle weakness, severe or ongoing muscle or joint pain;
• fever, swollen glands, neck stiffness;
• diarrhea or increased stools, severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools;
• a change in the amount or color of your urine;
• liver problems – loss of appetite, right-sided stomach pain, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low levels of sodium in the body – confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or
• signs of a hormonal disorder – frequent or unusual headaches, feeling light-headed, rapid heartbeats, hoarse or deepened voice, increased hunger or thirst, increased urination, constipation, hair loss, muscle pain, sweating, feeling cold, weight changes.
• fever, feeling weak or tired;
• cough, hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;
• itching, rash, or hair loss;
• increased blood pressure;
• pain in your muscles, bones, or joints; or
• soreness in or around your mouth, nose, eyes, throat, or vagina.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Opdivo Nivolumab Injection

Opdivo Nivolumab Injection is a medicine used in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of chemotherapy that contains platinum and another chemotherapy medicine, as a first treatment for adults with a type of advanced stage lung cancer (called non-small cell lung cancer) when your lung cancer has spread or grown, or comes back, and your tumor does not have an abnormal EGFR or ALK gene.

Description

Opdivo Nivolumab Injection is a cancer medicine that is used alone or in combination with other medicines that works with your immune system to interfere with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Opdivo is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat adults with:

• advanced skin cancer (melanoma);
• advanced non-small cell lung cancer;
• pleural mesothelioma (cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest wall);
• kidney cancer;
• classical Hodgkin lymphoma;
• cancer of the stomach and esophagus;
• squamous cell cancer of the esophagus or head and neck;
• bladder cancer;
• liver cancer; or
• colorectal cancer.
  

Opdivo Nivolumab is often given when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), or cannot be surgically removed, or has come back after prior treatment. Opdivo is sometimes given only if laboratory testing shows specific genetic markers or DNA mutations associated with your cancer.

Warnings

Opdivo can cause side effects in many different parts of your body. Some side effects may need to be treated with other medicine, and your cancer treatments may be delayed.

Call your doctor at once if you have: a cough, shortness of breath, vision changes, muscle pain or weakness, stomach pain, diarrhea, blood in your stools, little or no urinating, bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, frequent headaches, dizziness, confusion, increased thirst or urination, skin problems, numbness or tingling, feeling cold, or weight gain or loss.

Before taking Opdivo Nivolumab Injection

To make sure Opdivo is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• chemotherapy or radiation treatment;
• a nervous system disorder such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome;
• liver disease;
• an autoimmune disorder (lupus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis); or
• an organ transplant, or a stem cell transplant from a donor.

Nivolumab may harm an unborn baby. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while receiving Opdivo and for at least 5 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 5 months after your last dose.

How is Opdivo Nivolumab given

Opdivo is given as an infusion into a vein by a healthcare provider. This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take 30 to 90 minutes to complete.

Opdivo is usually given once every 2 to 4 weeks. Your other cancer medicines may be given on different schedules. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with all medicines.

You will need frequent medical tests to help your doctor determine if it is safe for you to keep receiving Opdivo.

Opdivo can cause side effects in many different parts of your body. You may be given medication to prevent certain side effects, and your cancer treatments may be delayed if you need treatment for a side effect. Detailed Opdivo dosage information

Opdivo Nivolumab side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Opdivo (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, light-headed, short of breath, itchy, or tingly, or if you have a fever, chills, back pain or neck pain.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe or ongoing diarrhea, severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools;
• eye pain, vision changes, sensitivity to light;
• severe muscle pain or weakness;
• confusion, memory problems, neck stiffness, drowsiness, balance problems;
• numbness or tingling in your arms or legs;
• kidney problems – little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, blood in your urine;
• liver problems – severe nausea or vomiting, right-sided upper stomach pain, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lung problems – new or worsening cough, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• skin problems – rash, itching, redness, swelling, pain, sores, blisters, sores in your mouth or nose or on your genitals;
• signs of a hormonal disorder – frequent or unusual headaches, vision problems, fast heartbeats, dizziness, fainting, tiredness, mood or behavior changes, hunger, increased thirst or urination, constipation, hair loss, hoarse or deepened voice, sweating, feeling cold, weight gain or loss; or
• (if you have had a stem cell transplant) feeling sick or uneasy, with pain or swelling near your transplanted organ.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common Opdivo side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation;
• mouth sores, altered sense of taste;
• itching, rash, redness or blisters on your hands or feet;
• hormonal problems;
• liver problems;
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
• fever, body aches;
• feeling weak, tired, or short of breath;
• cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat;
• headache, dizziness, increased blood pressure; or
• weight loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. OR Contact us

What other drugs will affect Opdivo

Other drugs may interact with nivolumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection

Yervoy ipilimumab injection is a medicine used in adults and children 12 years of age and older to treat melanoma (a kind of skin cancer) that has spread (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable).

It is not known if YERVOY is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age.

Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection can be used in combination with Opdivo Nivolumab Injection

What is Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection

Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of skin cancer (Melanoma), Renal Cell Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, and Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Yervoy may be used alone or with other medications.

Yervoy belongs to a class of drugs called Antineoplastics, Monoclonal Antibody.

Yervoy is a cancer medicine that is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of cancer such as:

• skin cancer (melanoma);
• non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC);
• pleural mesothelioma (cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest wall);
• kidney cancer;
• liver cancer; or
• colorectal cancer that has certain specific DNA mutations.

Yervoy is often given when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or cannot be surgically removed, or has come back after prior treatment.

Yervoy may prevent melanoma from coming back after surgery, including lymph node removal surgery.

Yervoy is given for NSCLC only if your tumor tests positive for “PD-L1” and does not have an abnormal “EGFR” or “ALK” (a specific genetic marker).

Warnings

Serious and sometimes fatal reactions may occur during treatment with Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection, or months after stopping. Call your doctor at once if you have: chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, vision changes, severe muscle pain or weakness, diarrhea and severe stomach pain, blood in your stools, little or no urinating, swelling, bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, confusion, hallucinations, a seizure, skin blistering, or a hormonal disorder (frequent headaches, feeling light-headed, increased thirst or urination, feeling cold, weight gain or loss).

Before you receive Yervoy, tell your doctor if you have liver damage, an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or if you have received an organ transplant.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Yervoy.

Before taking Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection

You should not receive Yervoy if you are allergic to ipilimumab.

To make sure Yervoy is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver problems;
• an autoimmune disorder (lupus, sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis); or
• an organ transplant or stem cell transplant.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Ipilimumab may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of ipilimumab on the baby.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Yervoy is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old. For some types of cancer, Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection is used only in adults.

How is Yervoy Ipilimumab Injection given

Yervoy is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take 30-90 minutes to complete.

Yervoy is usually given once every 3 to 6 weeks. Your other cancer medications may be given more often. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with all medicines.

You may be given other medications to treat or prevent certain side effects.

You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Yervoy side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Yervoy (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel dizzy, light-headed, short of breath, itchy, tingly, chilled, or feverish.

Serious and sometimes fatal reactions may occur during treatment with Yervoy or months after stopping. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:

• severe or ongoing diarrhea, severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools;
• fever, swollen glands, body aches;
• new or worsening skin rash, itching, or blistering;
• chest pain, irregular heartbeats;
• severe muscle weakness, ongoing pain in your muscles or joints;
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
• vision problems, eye pain or redness;
• lung problems – new or worsening cough, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• kidney problems – little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, blood in your urine;
• liver problems – right-sided upper stomach pain, tiredness, bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes;
• signs of a hormonal disorder – frequent or unusual headaches, lack of energy, dizziness, fainting, mood or behavior changes, increased thirst or urination, feeling cold, weight gain, or weight loss; or
• symptoms of brain swelling – confusion, headache, memory problems, hallucinations, neck stiffness, drowsiness, seizure (convulsions).

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common Yervoy injection side effects may include:

• fever, cough, shortness of breath;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• weight loss;
• hormonal problems;
• rash or itching;
• headache, dizziness, tiredness;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• pain in your muscles, joints, or bones.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. OR Contact us