Description Module
The Description Module contains narrative descriptions of the clinical trial, including a brief summary and detailed description. These descriptions provide important information about the study's purpose, methodology, and key details in language accessible to both researchers and the general public.
Description Module path is as follows:
Study -> Protocol Section -> Description Module
Description Module
Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-25 @ 3:13 AM
Ignite Modification Date:
2025-12-25 @ 3:13 AM
NCT ID:
NCT03712605
Brief Summary:
This phase III trial studies how well pembrolizumab works compared to standard of care observation in treating patients with stage I-III Merkel cell cancer that has been completely removed by surgery (resected). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.
Detailed Description:
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To compare recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) as co-primary endpoints across the two arms.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To evaluate adverse events. II. To evaluate distant metastasis free survival (DMFS). III. To evaluate the impact of radiation on clinical outcomes (OS, RFS, DMFS).
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.
ARM A: Patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 17 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may also undergo standard of care radiation therapy within 14 days of day 1, cycle 1. Patients undergo positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT), CT, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood and utine sample collection as clinically indicated at the discretion of the treating investigator.
ARM B: Patients receive standard of care observation every 3 months for 1 year, and then every 6 months for 5 years. Patients may also undergo standard of care radiation therapy within 14 days of day 1, cycle 1. Patients undergo PET-CT, CT, or MRI throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood and urine sample collection as clinically indicated at the discretion of the treating investigator.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3-6 months for 5 years from the date of registration.
Study:
NCT03712605
Study Brief:
Protocol Section:
NCT03712605