Cancers & treatments·Regimen libraryFirst line

Pembrolizumab + pemetrexed + platinum

Checked 2026-09-09

Metastatic non-squamous NSCLC without EGFR/ALK alteration, first line, any PD-L1

One cycle

every 21 days × 4 · about 12 weeks in total

21-day cycle × 4 with platinum, then pembrolizumab + pemetrexed maintenance up to 35 cycles (about 12 weeks)Intravenous

Components

Drug	Dose	Route	Days	Note
Pembrolizumab Monoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1)	200 mg	IV	D1	or 400 mg every 6 weeks
Pemetrexed Cytotoxic (antifolate)	500 mg/m²	IV	D1
Carboplatin AUC 5 or cisplatin 75 mg/m² Cytotoxic chemotherapy (platinum)	day 1, cycles 1-4	IV	D1

Cycles

4 with platinum, then pembrolizumab + pemetrexed maintenance up to 35 cycles

21-day cycle

Emetogenicity

Moderate (30-90%)

G-CSF

Not routine

Notes

Folic acid, vitamin B12 and dexamethasone premedication for pemetrexed.
Cisplatin makes the regimen highly emetogenic.

Used in

Non-small-cell lung cancer

Trials

KEYNOTE-024 & KEYNOTE-189

Products

PembrolizumabPemetrexedCarboplatin

Source

KEYNOTE-189, NEJM 2018

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.