Yes, they will most likely do that. Keytruda is used to treat certain types of cancer that have high levels of a protein called PD-L1. This protein is found on some cancer cells and on some healthy cells.
Some people’s cancer cells have more PD-L1 protein than other people’s cancer cells do. Because Keytruda works to block this protein, it’s used to treat cancers that have more of the protein.
If you have certain types of cancer, your doctor will order a test for you to see if you have elevated levels of PD-L1.
Some types of cancer have unique traits other than PD-L1 that help Keytruda work on them. (And just like the PD-L1 test, certain lab tests can be used to check for these traits.) For example, some solid tumors or colon cancers have genetic mutations (abnormal changes) that make Keytruda a good treatment choice.
Before your doctor prescribes Keytruda, they’ll check any tests that are needed to make sure it’s the right drug for you.