Health Canada Greenlights Pembrolizumab Combined with Surgery for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

August 15, 2025 - 21:32

In a significant advancement for cancer treatment, Health Canada has granted approval for the combination of pembrolizumab and surgery in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who test positive for PD-L1. This decision follows promising results from the phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial, which demonstrated that the pembrolizumab/surgery regimen offers a new therapeutic option for this challenging cancer type.

Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, works by enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells. The trial results indicated that the combination treatment not only improves patient outcomes but also provides a viable alternative to traditional treatments. With the approval, healthcare providers now have a powerful tool to help manage locally advanced HNSCC, potentially leading to better survival rates and quality of life for patients.

This approval marks a pivotal moment in oncology, underscoring the importance of innovative treatment strategies in the fight against cancer. As more patients gain access to this therapy, the hope is to see improved clinical outcomes in this patient population.