Latest Cancer TreatmentsDr. Mohammadreza Dabiri
Dr. Mohammadreza Dabiriفارسی
Treatment regimen

Adjuvant pembrolizumab in melanoma

One year after surgery for stage 2B to 3 melanoma

Updated: 28 October 20261 min read5 references

Summary for doctors

  • Resected stage 3 melanoma (and 2B to 2C in a later study) [1].
  • With BRAF V600, adjuvant dabrafenib-trametinib is an alternative [2].

Dose and schedule

Adjuvant pembrolizumab

High-risk resected melanomaCycle length: Every 3 weeks

High-risk resected melanoma

DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Pembrolizumab200 mg (or 400 every 6 weeks)IVEvery 3 weeks
Cycle length
Every 3 weeks
Duration
18 doses (about one year)

As in KEYNOTE-054 [1].

Dose source: [3].

Evidence: KEYNOTE-054 (EORTC 1325) (2018)

Adjuvant dabrafenib + trametinib

Stage 3 melanoma with BRAF V600

Stage 3 melanoma with BRAF V600

DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Dabrafenib150 mg twice a dayOral, fastingDaily
Trametinib2 mg once a dayOralDaily
Cycle length
Daily and continuously
Duration
12 months

As in COMBI-AD [2]; fever is the most common side effect.

Dose source: [4, 5].

Doses follow the trial protocol, guideline or official drug label (source given in the notes of each regimen). Before prescribing, check blood counts, renal and hepatic function, drug interactions and the patient’s condition, and adjust the dose according to the drug label.

Premedication and supportive care

  • Teach the symptoms of immune-related toxicity.

Monitoring and dose adjustment

Main evidence

Show detailsHide

KEYNOTE-054: 12-month recurrence-free survival 75.4% vs 61.0% with placebo [1]. COMBI-AD: 3-year relapse-free survival 58% vs 39% [2].

Related cancer types

Melanoma (skin cancer)

Treatment regimens (physicians)

Nivolumab with ipilimumab in melanoma

Physician tools and lessons

Management of brain metastases

References

5 references
Show all references, 1 with a study cardClose the reference list

Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.

  1. 1
    Adjuvant Pembrolizumab versus Placebo in Resected Stage III MelanomaEggermont AMM, Blank CU, Mandala M, et al · N Engl J Med · 2018;378:1789-1801
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3
  2. 2
    Adjuvant Dabrafenib plus Trametinib in Stage III BRAF-Mutated MelanomaLong GV, Hauschild A, Santinami M, et al · N Engl J Med · 2017;377:1813-1823
    DOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3
  3. 3
    KEYTRUDA (PEMBROLIZUMAB) — Prescribing InformationMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC · FDA label · 2026
    Source Back to text
  4. 4
    TAFINLAR (DABRAFENIB) — Prescribing InformationNovartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation · FDA label · 2026
    Source Back to text
  5. 5
    MEKINIST (TRAMETINIB) — Prescribing InformationNovartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation · FDA label · 2026
    Source Back to text

This page is based on reputable scientific sources and was last updated on 28 October 2026. The content of this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a specialist physician. Consult your treating physician about any treatment decision.

Printed from the website; the full and up-to-date version: https://drdabiri.com/en/regimens/pembrolizumab-adjuvant-melanoma/

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