Pembrolizumab + platinum + fluorouracil
Checked 2026-09-09
Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, first line
One cycle
every 21 daysComponents
| Drug | Dose | Route | Days | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pembrolizumab Monoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1) | 200 mg | IV | D1 | or 400 mg every 6 weeks |
Cisplatin 100 mg/m² or carboplatin AUC 5 Cytotoxic chemotherapy (platinum) | day 1 | IV | D1 | |
Fluorouracil infusion Fluoropyrimidine antimetabolite | 1,000 mg/m² per day | IV | D1-4 (96 h infusion) |
Cycles
chemotherapy 6; pembrolizumab up to 35
21-day cycle
Emetogenicity
High (>90%)
G-CSF
Not routine
Notes
- Pembrolizumab alone for CPS 1 or above (or 20 or above) when a chemotherapy-free start is preferred. EXTREME (cetuximab + platinum + 5-FU) is the older standard.
Used in
Trials
Source
Reference doses for a typical adult from the cited protocol or label. Doses are adjusted for renal and hepatic function, age, performance status and prior toxicity, and institutional protocols vary. Verify against the current label and your local protocol before treating. Not medical advice.
Other regimens for these cancers
Weekly cisplatin chemoradiation (with pembrolizumab for high-risk disease)
Locally advanced cervical cancer (FIGO IB2-IVA); pembrolizumab for FIGO 2014 III-IVA or node-positive
weekly × 5-6
Pembrolizumab monotherapy
Adjuvant melanoma stage IIB-IV (1 year); PD-L1 TPS 50% or above NSCLC; MSI-high tumours; recurrent head and neck (CPS 1 or above)
every 21 days
High-dose cisplatin chemoradiation
Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, definitive or postoperative (positive margins or extranodal extension)
every 21 days × 3
TPF induction
Locally advanced head and neck cancer where induction is chosen (larynx preservation, bulky nodes)
every 21 days × 3-4