title: PD-1 inhibitor becomes "breakthrough therapy".
abstract: Merck's lambrolizumab (MK-3475) monoclonal antibody received "Breakthrough Therapy" designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April for treating patients with advanced melanoma. The designation is one of many signs of progress in attacking cancer with agents designed for immune checkpoint blockade.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C105992:PDCD1 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; C582435:pembrolizumab