Regulatory approval

Published by the Health Canada.

Health Canada approved pembrolizumab for the first-line treatment of metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) as monotherapy, in adult patients whose tumours have PD-L1 expression (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥ 1) as determined by a validated test.

This is written in the approval document as:

KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is indicated for the first-line treatment of metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) as monotherapy, in adult patients whose tumours have PD-L1 expression (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥ 1) as determined by a validated test.

Citation

Merck Canada Inc. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) [product monograph]. Health Canada website. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00080285.PDF. Published April 2025. Accessed June 2025.

Therapeutic response

Precision oncology relationships for therapeutic response derived from this regulatory approval.

Type Biomarker(s) Cancer type Therapy(ies)
Sensitivity (+) PD-L1 (CPS) >= 1 Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Pembrolizumab