15 January 2019 - Only a few study participants were treated in compliance with the approval, therefore the extent of added benefit cannot be quantified.

Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers of the skin and mucous membranes. For patients with tumours in the head and neck region, ie in the mouth, throat or larynx, the treatment options in the advanced stage are very limited: if during or after platinum-based chemotherapy, a cure in general is not to be expected. It is then about an extension of the remaining lifetime under the best possible living conditions.

In an early benefit assessment, the IQWiG has now investigated whether the monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab offers an added benefit to patients with PD-L1 expressing tumours at the doctor's discretion. Accordingly, there is a hint of added value, but it is not quantifiable.

Read IQWiG press release [German]