Immunotherapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer
What are immunotherapy drugs?
Immunotherapy drugs help the body’s immune system attack cancer cells. They are used to treat many cancers including melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer and kidney cancer.
Certain immunotherapy drugs may be helpful in treating some metastatic breast cancers.
Researchers are studying how to identify the metastatic breast cancers that will respond best to immunotherapy.
Checkpoint inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitors are the most widely used type of immunotherapy drugs. These drugs “take the brakes off” the natural factors that limit how the immune system can control tumor cells.
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy antibody drug used to treat some metastatic breast cancers.
Other immunotherapy drugs to treat metastatic breast cancer are under study.
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and treatment for triple negative metastatic breast cancer
Triple negative breast cancers are:
Pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy is FDA-approved as a first treatment for metastatic triple negative breast cancers that are programmed cell death ligand 1-positive (PD-L1-positive). All metastatic triple negative breast cancers are tested to learn if they are PD-L1-positive and pembrolizumab would be helpful as a first treatment [4].
Compared to chemotherapy alone, pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy may give people with metastatic PD-L1-positive triple negative breast cancer more time before the cancer spreads [51].
| For a summary of research studies on pembrolizumab and triple negative metastatic breast cancer treatment, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section. |
Learn more about triple negative breast cancer.
Learn more about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about emerging areas in treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about pembrolizumab and treatment for early triple negative breast cancer.
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and treatment for metastatic breast cancers with a high tumor burden
Pembrolizumab is a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy drug used to treat metastatic breast cancers that have a high tumor mutational burden [52]. A high tumor mutational burden means there are a high number of gene mutations in the metastatic breast cancer cells.
It’s not common for metastatic breast cancers to have a high tumor mutational burden. However, high tumor burden is more common in triple negative metastatic breast cancers than in estrogen receptor-positive or HER2-positive metastatic breast cancers.
Learn more about triple negative breast cancer.
Learn more about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about emerging areas in treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
How is pembrolizumab given?
Pembrolizumab is given by vein (through an IV).
Side effects of pembrolizumab
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Side Effects |
Pembrolizumab |
Possible side effects include fatigue, muscle pain, decreased appetite, itchiness, diarrhea, nausea, rash and constipation. Pembrolizumab can cause colitis (inflammation of the intestines), liver problems and hormone gland problems. In rare cases, it can cause lung inflammation, which can lead to death. Tell your health care provider right away if you have shortness of breath or other breathing problems while taking this drug. |
Adapted from select sources [52]. |
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Some of these side effects may be permanent.
Monitoring metastatic breast cancer
You’ll be monitored (checked) regularly with scans to see if the cancer is responding to treatment. If it’s no longer working, or if the side effects are not manageable, your health care provider will change your treatment.
Learn more about how metastatic breast cancer is monitored.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials offer the chance to try new treatments and possibly benefit from them.
Consider joining a clinical trial when your oncologist is considering changing treatments, before starting a new treatment or when there are limited treatment options.
Susan G. Komen® Breast Care Helpline |
If you or a loved one needs information or resources about clinical trials, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877- 465- 6636) or email clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org. Se habla español. |
Metastatic Trial Search |
The Metastatic Trial Search is a web-based clinical trial matching tool that can help you find clinical trials that fit your needs. |
Learn more about clinical trials for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Prescription drug assistance
The cost of drug therapies for metastatic breast cancer can quickly become a financial burden for you and your family.
Medicare and many insurance companies offer prescription drug plans. One may already be included in your policy, or you may be able to buy an extra plan for prescriptions.
Some drugs are off-patent and may have a generic form. Generic drugs cost less than the name brands but are just as effective.
You may also qualify for programs that help with drug costs or offer low-cost or free prescriptions.
Learn more about insurance plans and prescription drug assistance programs.
Learn more about other financial assistance programs.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. Funding is available for eligible individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment at any stage or living with metastatic breast cancer (stage IV). To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. |
SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES |
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*Please note, the information provided within Komen Perspectives articles is only current as of the date of posting. Therefore, some information may be out of date.
Updated 07/08/22
