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NSCLC — SCE Medical Oncology MCQ

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EasyLung CancerNSCLCSCE Medical Oncology

A 68-year-old woman with advanced NSCLC achieves a complete response on pembrolizumab monotherapy after 2 years (35 cycles). What is the standard recommendation regarding treatment duration?

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Correct answer: B — Stop pembrolizumab at 2 years (35 cycles) — this is the maximum treatment duration per protocol

Per KEYNOTE-024/042 protocols and clinical practice, pembrolizumab is given for a maximum of 2 years (35 cycles at 3-weekly dosing, equivalent to approximately 17 cycles at 6-weekly dosing). KEYNOTE-024 showed that patients who completed 2 years of pembrolizumab with CR maintained durable remission off therapy. If disease recurs after stopping at 2 years, pembrolizumab retreatment for up to 1 additional year can be considered (KEYNOTE-024 second-course data).

Reference: NICE TA531; KEYNOTE-024 protocol; ESMO 2024 NSCLC Guidelines