Pembrolizumab with chemotherapy for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma
Part of Cancer, Infections clinical trials.
This trial tests a new combination for people with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare skin cancer. It combines the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab with standard chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin plus etoposide). The goal is to see if this combination shrinks or controls the cancer better than chemotherapy alone.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) that is advanced (stage IIIB or IV) and cannot be removed by surgery, or has spread to other parts of the body.
- You must not have had any prior treatment for advanced or metastatic MCC. If you had prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy, it must have been completed at least 12 months before the cancer spread.
- You must be at least 18 years old and able to care for yourself (ECOG performance status 0-1).
- You must have at least one measurable tumor that can be evaluated by imaging (RECIST 1.1).
- You must provide a tumor tissue sample (archived or new biopsy) for testing.
- You must have adequate organ function and a life expectancy of at least 3 months.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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This trial tests pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) given before surgery to shrink Merkel cell carcinoma and improve outcomes. Participants also have extra tumor biopsies to study biomarkers, which may help explain who benefits most.
This trial tests a combination of two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and relatlimab, before surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma that can be removed. The goal is to see if this treatment shrinks the tumor and improves outcomes.
This study tests a combination of two medicines—an oral therapy (ASTX727) and an immunotherapy (retifanlimab)—for people with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma that has not responded to prior immunotherapy. The goal is to see if this new combination can help shrink or control the cancer.
This Phase 2 trial studies whether peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (targeted radiation) combined with immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) can shrink Merkel cell cancer after it has grown despite anti–PD-1/L1 treatment. It may help people whose cancer has specific receptors that make them eligible for the targeted radiation.
This Phase 2 trial tests a specific radiation timing/dose schedule for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive skin cancer. It may help by improving control of the cancer after surgery, especially in higher-risk cases (like lymph nodes).
This early-phase study tests cemiplimab (an immune therapy that helps your immune system attack cancer) given before surgery. It aims to shrink tumors and improve outcomes for people with Merkel cell cancer or certain locally advanced skin squamous cell cancers (CSCC).
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