20/11/2025
Vietnam Approves Russian Pembrolizumab, Expanding Cancer Care Access
Hanoi, 20th November 2025: In a major development for oncology across Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has officially approved the distribution of a Russian-manufactured anti-cancer drug containing pembrolizumab, one of the world’s leading immunotherapy agents.
Reported by the Vietnam News Agency in cooperation with TV BRICS, the decision grants a three-year authorization for nationwide sale—marking an important expansion of access to advanced cancer therapies for Vietnamese patients.
A Versatile Immunotherapy for More Than 14 Cancers
Pembrolizumab, a PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, has reshaped modern oncology by helping the immune system identify and attack cancer cells. The newly approved formulation is indicated for over 14 malignancies, including lung, melanoma, cervical, colorectal, breast, and kidney cancers. This approval represents a major step toward broader, evidence-based immunotherapy access in Vietnam.
Cancer Burden in Vietnam
Vietnam recorded an estimated 180,480 new cancer cases in 2022, with breast, liver, lung, and colorectal cancers among the most prevalent. The country continues to strengthen its cancer-care infrastructure, integrating surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy into modern multidisciplinary treatment pathways.
Key Global Trials Involving Pembrolizumab
• LEAP-012: Evaluates pembrolizumab + lenvatinib with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in unresectable, non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.
• EVOLUTION Trial: Investigates radiotherapy-free chemo-immunotherapy with pembrolizumab for locally advanced NSCLC with high PD-L1 expression.
These ongoing studies highlight the expanding global footprint of pembrolizumab in cancer treatment.
Strengthening Local Oncology Capacity
The Ministry’s decision aligns with Vietnam’s broader strategy to enhance local access to life-saving therapies. Fourteen vaccines and biological products have simultaneously been approved for circulation—reinforcing the nation’s commitment to international standards in oncology and public health.
Vietnam’s authorization of Russian pembrolizumab marks a new chapter in cancer treatment access, offering renewed hope for patients, families, and healthcare professionals across the country.
Vietnam Authorizes Russian Pembrolizumab 2025: A New Chapter in Cancer Treatment Access / cancer, Headlines, OncoDaily, Oncology, pembrolizumab, Russia, Vietnam
