Pembrolizumab plus chemo for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma
Part of Cancer, Infections clinical trials.
This trial tests the combination of pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) with standard chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin plus etoposide) in people with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma who haven't had treatment before. The goal is to see if this combination improves outcomes.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have been diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body (stage IIIB or IV).
- You have never received any cancer treatment for metastatic (spread) Merkel cell carcinoma. If you had treatment before it spread, it must have finished at least 12 months ago.
- You are at least 18 years old and in reasonably good health (able to do most daily activities).
- You have tissue from a previous biopsy or can get a new biopsy for testing.
- You agree to use effective birth control during the study and for a period after treatment ends (if applicable).
- You do not have active brain metastases, other cancers requiring treatment, or certain infections (HIV, hepatitis B/C).
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
Similar studies
Other trials that look related to this one.
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 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 trial tests combining two drugs—ASTX727 (an oral pill) and retifanlimab (an immunotherapy)—for people with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma that has grown despite previous immunotherapy. The goal is to see if this combination can work better than previous treatments.
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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