Testing the Addition of Radiation Therapy to Immunotherapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

May 12, 2026 updated by: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

A Randomized Phase II Study of Anti-PD1 Antibody [MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab)] Alone Versus Anti-PD1 Antibody Plus Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma

This randomized phase II trial studies how well pembrolizumab with or without stereotactic body radiation therapy works in treating patients with Merkel cell cancer that has spread to other places in the body (advanced). 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. Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method can kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving pembrolizumab with stereotactic body radiation therapy may work better in treating patients with Merkel cell cancer.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To describe the progression-free survival (PFS) of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) + pembrolizumab (MK-3475) compared to pembrolizumab (MK-3475) alone in advanced/metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To describe the PFS of SBRT + MK-3475 compared to pembrolizumab (MK-3475) alone across Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) measurable (including both radiated and non-radiated) cancer deposits.

II. To describe the overall response rate of SBRT + pembrolizumab (MK-3475) compared to pembrolizumab(MK-3475) alone in both radiated and in non-radiated deposit(s).

III. To determine the PFS at 6 months of SBRT + pembrolizumab (MK-3475) compared to pembrolizumab (MK-3475) alone across all cancerous deposits by RECIST.

IV. To determine the rate of grade > 3-4 adverse events, by organ system, by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version (v) 5.0.

V. To determine the local control of SBRT treated tumors. VI. To calculate delivered radiation dose using cone-beam computed tomography (CT) images collected on the radiation treatment table in the final treatment position.

CORRELATIVE SCIENCE OBJECTIVES:

I. To test the utility of CT-based radiomics to predict radiation-induced pneumonitis and true delivered dose of SBRT based on cone beam collected imaging and diagnostic scans.

II. Biobanking for future correlative science projects.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.

GROUP I: Patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on day 1. Cycles repeat every 21 days for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

GROUP II: Patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Cycles repeat every 21 days for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo SBRT for 3 doses during cycle 1.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 6 months for up to 5 years.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
9

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Alaska
      • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 98508
        • Anchorage Associates in Radiation Medicine
      • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
        • Alaska Breast Care and Surgery LLC
      • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
        • Alaska Oncology and Hematology LLC
      • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
        • Alaska Women's Cancer Care
      • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
        • Anchorage Oncology Centre
      • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
        • Katmai Oncology Group
      • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
        • Providence Alaska Medical Center
    • Arizona
      • Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85719
        • Banner University Medical Center - Tucson
      • Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85719
        • University of Arizona Cancer Center-North Campus
    • Arkansas
      • Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States, 72903
        • Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
      • Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States, 71913
        • CHI Saint Vincent Cancer Center Hot Springs
    • California
      • Arroyo Grande, California, United States, 93420
        • PCR Oncology
      • Burbank, California, United States, 91505
        • Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center/Disney Family Cancer Center
    • Colorado
      • Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80907
        • Penrose-Saint Francis Healthcare
      • Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80907
        • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Penrose
      • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80210
        • AdventHealth Porter
      • Lakewood, Colorado, United States, 80228
        • Saint Anthony Hospital
      • Littleton, Colorado, United States, 80122
        • AdventHealth Littleton
      • Longmont, Colorado, United States, 80501
        • Longmont United Hospital
      • Parker, Colorado, United States, 80138
        • AdventHealth Parker
      • Pueblo, Colorado, United States, 81004
        • Saint Mary Corwin Medical Center
      • Thornton, Colorado, United States, 80260
        • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Thornton
    • Connecticut
      • New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06520
        • Yale University
      • New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06510
        • Smilow Cancer Center/Yale-New Haven Hospital
    • Florida
      • Aventura, Florida, United States, 33180
        • Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center at Aventura
      • Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, 33308
        • Holy Cross Hospital
      • Miami Beach, Florida, United States, 33140
        • Mount Sinai Medical Center
    • Georgia
      • Savannah, Georgia, United States, 31405
        • Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion at Saint Joseph's/Candler
    • Idaho
      • Boise, Idaho, United States, 83706
        • Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Boise
      • Boise, Idaho, United States, 83712
        • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Boise
      • Caldwell, Idaho, United States, 83605
        • Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Caldwell
      • Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States, 83814
        • Kootenai Health - Coeur d'Alene
      • Fruitland, Idaho, United States, 83619
        • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Fruitland
      • Meridian, Idaho, United States, 83642
        • Idaho Urologic Institute-Meridian
      • Meridian, Idaho, United States, 83642
        • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Meridian
      • Nampa, Idaho, United States, 83687
        • Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Nampa
      • Nampa, Idaho, United States, 83687
        • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Nampa
      • Post Falls, Idaho, United States, 83854
        • Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Post Falls
      • Sandpoint, Idaho, United States, 83864
        • Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Sandpoint
      • Twin Falls, Idaho, United States, 83301
        • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Twin Falls
    • Illinois
      • Aurora, Illinois, United States, 60504
        • Rush-Copley Medical Center
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
        • Northwestern University
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60637
        • University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60612
        • Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center
      • Danville, Illinois, United States, 61832
        • Carle at The Riverfront
      • Effingham, Illinois, United States, 62401
        • Carle Physician Group-Effingham
      • Lake Forest, Illinois, United States, 60045
        • Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
      • Mattoon, Illinois, United States, 61938
        • Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston
      • Mount Vernon, Illinois, United States, 62864
        • SSM Health Good Samaritan
      • New Lenox, Illinois, United States, 60451
        • UC Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross
      • Orland Park, Illinois, United States, 60462
        • University of Chicago Medicine-Orland Park
      • Urbana, Illinois, United States, 61801
        • Carle Cancer Center
      • Urbana, Illinois, United States, 61801
        • The Carle Foundation Hospital
      • Yorkville, Illinois, United States, 60560
        • Rush-Copley Healthcare Center
    • Indiana
      • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46202
        • Indiana University/Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
      • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46202
        • Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital
    • Iowa
      • Clive, Iowa, United States, 50325
        • Mercy Cancer Center-West Lakes
      • Clive, Iowa, United States, 50325
        • UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - West Des Moines Clinic
      • Creston, Iowa, United States, 50801
        • Greater Regional Medical Center
      • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309
        • Iowa Methodist Medical Center
      • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50314
        • Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines
      • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50314
        • Broadlawns Medical Center
      • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50316
        • Iowa Lutheran Hospital
      • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309
        • UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Des Moines Clinic
      • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50314
        • UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Laurel Clinic
      • West Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50266-7700
        • Methodist West Hospital
      • West Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50266
        • Mercy Medical Center-West Lakes
    • Kansas
      • Garden City, Kansas, United States, 67846
        • Central Care Cancer Center - Garden City
      • Great Bend, Kansas, United States, 67530
        • Central Care Cancer Center - Great Bend
      • Kansas City, Kansas, United States, 66160
        • University of Kansas Cancer Center
      • Lawrence, Kansas, United States, 66044
        • Lawrence Memorial Hospital
      • Lenexa, Kansas, United States, 66219
        • Kansas Institute of Medicine Cancer and Blood Center
      • Lenexa, Kansas, United States, 66219
        • Minimally Invasive Surgery Hospital
      • Overland Park, Kansas, United States, 66210
        • University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park
      • Overland Park, Kansas, United States, 66209
        • Menorah Medical Center
      • Overland Park, Kansas, United States, 66213
        • Saint Luke's South Hospital
      • Westwood, Kansas, United States, 66205
        • University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center
      • Wichita, Kansas, United States, 67214
        • Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita
      • Wichita, Kansas, United States, 67208
        • Cancer Center of Kansas-Wichita Medical Arts Tower
      • Wichita, Kansas, United States, 67214
        • Cancer Center of Kansas - Wichita
    • Kentucky
      • Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40504
        • Saint Joseph Radiation Oncology Resource Center
      • Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40509
        • Saint Joseph Hospital East
      • Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202
        • Jewish Hospital
      • Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40245
        • UofL Health Medical Center Northeast
    • Louisiana
      • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70809
        • Ochsner Health Center-Summa
      • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70816
        • Medical Center of Baton Rouge
      • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70836
        • Ochsner High Grove
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 70121
        • Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson
    • Michigan
      • Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, 49017
        • Bronson Battle Creek
      • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
        • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
      • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
        • Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals - Butterworth Hospital
      • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
        • Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals - Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
      • Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, 49007
        • West Michigan Cancer Center
      • Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, 49007
        • Bronson Methodist Hospital
      • Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, 49048
        • Beacon Kalamazoo
      • Muskegon, Michigan, United States, 49444
        • Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital
      • Niles, Michigan, United States, 49120
        • Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals - Niles Hospital
      • Norton Shores, Michigan, United States, 49444
        • Cancer and Hematology Centers of Western Michigan - Norton Shores
      • Reed City, Michigan, United States, 49677
        • Corewell Health Reed City Hospital
      • Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States, 49085
        • Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals - Marie Yeager Cancer Center
      • Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States, 49085
        • Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals - Saint Joseph Hospital
      • Traverse City, Michigan, United States, 49684
        • Munson Medical Center
      • Wyoming, Michigan, United States, 49519
        • University of Michigan Health - West
    • Minnesota
      • Bemidji, Minnesota, United States, 56601
        • Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center
      • Burnsville, Minnesota, United States, 55337
        • Fairview Ridges Hospital
      • Coon Rapids, Minnesota, United States, 55433
        • Mercy Hospital
      • Edina, Minnesota, United States, 55435
        • Fairview Southdale Hospital
      • Fridley, Minnesota, United States, 55432
        • Unity Hospital
      • Maple Grove, Minnesota, United States, 55369
        • Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center Maple Grove
      • Maplewood, Minnesota, United States, 55109
        • Saint John's Hospital - Healtheast
      • Maplewood, Minnesota, United States, 55109
        • Minnesota Oncology Hematology PA-Maplewood
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55415
        • Hennepin County Medical Center
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55407
        • Abbott-Northwestern Hospital
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55454
        • Health Partners Inc
      • Monticello, Minnesota, United States, 55362
        • Monticello Cancer Center
      • Robbinsdale, Minnesota, United States, 55422
        • North Memorial Medical Health Center
      • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
        • Mayo Clinic in Rochester
      • Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, United States, 55416
        • Park Nicollet Clinic - Saint Louis Park
      • Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55101
        • Regions Hospital
      • Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55102
        • United Hospital
      • Shakopee, Minnesota, United States, 55379
        • Saint Francis Regional Medical Center
      • Stillwater, Minnesota, United States, 55082
        • Lakeview Hospital
      • Waconia, Minnesota, United States, 55387
        • Ridgeview Medical Center
      • Willmar, Minnesota, United States, 56201
        • Rice Memorial Hospital
      • Woodbury, Minnesota, United States, 55125
        • Minnesota Oncology Hematology PA-Woodbury
    • Missouri
      • Ballwin, Missouri, United States, 63011
        • Mercy Oncology and Hematology - Clayton-Clarkson
      • Bolivar, Missouri, United States, 65613
        • Central Care Cancer Center - Bolivar
      • City of Saint Peters, Missouri, United States, 63376
        • Siteman Cancer Center at Saint Peters Hospital
      • Creve Coeur, Missouri, United States, 63141
        • Siteman Cancer Center at West County Hospital
      • Independence, Missouri, United States, 64057
        • Centerpoint Medical Center LLC
      • Joplin, Missouri, United States, 64804
        • Freeman Health System
      • Kansas City, Missouri, United States, 64111
        • Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City
      • Kansas City, Missouri, United States, 64132
        • Research Medical Center
      • Lee's Summit, Missouri, United States, 64086
        • Saint Luke's East - Lee's Summit
      • Rolla, Missouri, United States, 65401
        • Mercy Clinic-Rolla-Cancer and Hematology
      • Rolla, Missouri, United States, 65401
        • Phelps Health Delbert Day Cancer Institute
      • Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States, 64506
        • Heartland Regional Medical Center
      • Springfield, Missouri, United States, 65807
        • CoxHealth South Hospital
      • Springfield, Missouri, United States, 65804
        • Mercy Hospital Springfield
      • St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
        • Washington University School of Medicine
      • St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63129
        • Siteman Cancer Center-South County
      • St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63141
        • Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
      • St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63128
        • Mercy Hospital South
    • Montana
      • Anaconda, Montana, United States, 59711
        • Community Hospital of Anaconda
      • Billings, Montana, United States, 59101
        • Billings Clinic Cancer Center
      • Bozeman, Montana, United States, 59715
        • Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital
      • Great Falls, Montana, United States, 59405
        • Great Falls Clinic
      • Great Falls, Montana, United States, 59405
        • Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute
      • Helena, Montana, United States, 59601
        • Saint Peter's Community Hospital
      • Kalispell, Montana, United States, 59901
        • Logan Health Medical Center
      • Missoula, Montana, United States, 59804
        • Community Medical Center
    • Nebraska
      • Grand Island, Nebraska, United States, 68803
        • Nebraska Cancer Specialists/Oncology Hematology West PC
      • Kearney, Nebraska, United States, 68847
        • CHI Health Good Samaritan
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68124
        • Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68122
        • Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68130
        • Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68131
        • Creighton University Medical Center
    • Nevada
      • Henderson, Nevada, United States, 89052
        • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada - Henderson
      • Henderson, Nevada, United States, 89074
        • Oncology Las Vegas - Henderson
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89102
        • OptumCare Cancer Care at Charleston
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89106
        • Radiation Oncology Centers of Nevada Central
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89119
        • Radiation Oncology Centers of Nevada Southeast
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89128
        • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada - Northwest
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89128
        • OptumCare Cancer Care at MountainView
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89135
        • Alliance for Childhood Diseases/Cure 4 the Kids Foundation
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89144
        • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada-Summerlin
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89148
        • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89169
        • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada - Central Valley
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89183
        • OptumCare Cancer Care at Fort Apache
      • Reno, Nevada, United States, 89502
        • Renown Regional Medical Center
      • Reno, Nevada, United States, 89503
        • Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center
      • Reno, Nevada, United States, 89509
        • Radiation Oncology Associates
    • New Jersey
      • Hackensack, New Jersey, United States, 07601
        • Hackensack University Medical Center
    • North Carolina
      • Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710
        • Duke University Medical Center
    • North Dakota
      • Bismarck, North Dakota, United States, 58501
        • Sanford Bismarck Medical Center
      • Fargo, North Dakota, United States, 58122
        • Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center
      • Fargo, North Dakota, United States, 58122
        • Sanford Broadway Medical Center
    • Ohio
      • Belpre, Ohio, United States, 45714
        • Strecker Cancer Center-Belpre
      • Chillicothe, Ohio, United States, 45601
        • Adena Regional Medical Center
      • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45220
        • Good Samaritan Hospital - Cincinnati
      • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45242
        • Bethesda North Hospital
      • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44109
        • MetroHealth Medical Center
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43214
        • Riverside Methodist Hospital
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43219
        • The Mark H Zangmeister Center
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43214
        • Columbus Oncology and Hematology Associates Inc
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43228
        • Doctors Hospital
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43213
        • Mount Carmel East Hospital
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43215
        • Grant Medical Center
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43222
        • Mount Carmel Health Center West
      • Delaware, Ohio, United States, 43015
        • Delaware Health Center-Grady Cancer Center
      • Delaware, Ohio, United States, 43015
        • Delaware Radiation Oncology
      • Delaware, Ohio, United States, 43015
        • Grady Memorial Hospital
      • Dublin, Ohio, United States, 43016
        • Dublin Methodist Hospital
      • Lancaster, Ohio, United States, 43130
        • Fairfield Medical Center
      • Mansfield, Ohio, United States, 44903
        • OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital
      • Marietta, Ohio, United States, 45750
        • Marietta Memorial Hospital
      • Marion, Ohio, United States, 43302
        • OhioHealth Marion General Hospital
      • Mount Vernon, Ohio, United States, 43050
        • Knox Community Hospital
      • Newark, Ohio, United States, 43055
        • Licking Memorial Hospital
      • Newark, Ohio, United States, 43055
        • Newark Radiation Oncology
      • Portsmouth, Ohio, United States, 45662
        • Southern Ohio Medical Center
      • Westerville, Ohio, United States, 43081
        • Saint Ann's Hospital
      • Zanesville, Ohio, United States, 43701
        • Genesis Healthcare System Cancer Care Center
    • Oklahoma
      • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73104
        • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
      • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73120
        • Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
    • Oregon
      • Bend, Oregon, United States, 97701
        • Saint Charles Health System
      • Clackamas, Oregon, United States, 97015
        • Clackamas Radiation Oncology Center
      • Coos Bay, Oregon, United States, 97420
        • Bay Area Hospital
      • Newberg, Oregon, United States, 97132
        • Providence Newberg Medical Center
      • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97213
        • Providence Portland Medical Center
      • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97225
        • Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center
    • Pennsylvania
      • Danville, Pennsylvania, United States, 17822
        • Geisinger Medical Center
      • Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States, 17837
        • Geisinger Medical Oncology-Lewisburg
      • Lewistown, Pennsylvania, United States, 17044
        • Lewistown Hospital
      • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
        • University of Pennsylvania/Abramson Cancer Center
      • Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States, 18711
        • Geisinger Wyoming Valley/Henry Cancer Center
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425
        • Medical University of South Carolina
      • Gaffney, South Carolina, United States, 29341
        • Gibbs Cancer Center-Gaffney
      • Greer, South Carolina, United States, 29651
        • Gibbs Cancer Center-Pelham
      • Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States, 29303
        • Spartanburg Medical Center
      • Union, South Carolina, United States, 29379
        • SMC Center for Hematology Oncology Union
    • South Dakota
      • Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, 57117-5134
        • Sanford USD Medical Center - Sioux Falls
      • Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, 57104
        • Sanford Cancer Center Oncology Clinic
    • Tennessee
      • Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, 37404
        • Memorial Hospital
    • Texas
      • Bryan, Texas, United States, 77802
        • Saint Joseph Regional Cancer Center
    • Virginia
      • Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23298
        • VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
    • Washington
      • Aberdeen, Washington, United States, 98520
        • Providence Regional Cancer System-Aberdeen
      • Bellevue, Washington, United States, 98004
        • Overlake Medical Center
      • Bellingham, Washington, United States, 98225
        • PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center
      • Burien, Washington, United States, 98166
        • Highline Medical Center-Main Campus
      • Centralia, Washington, United States, 98531
        • Providence Regional Cancer System-Centralia
      • Everett, Washington, United States, 98201
        • Providence Regional Cancer Partnership
      • Issaquah, Washington, United States, 98029
        • Swedish Cancer Institute-Issaquah
      • Kennewick, Washington, United States, 99336
        • Kadlec Clinic Hematology and Oncology
      • Lacey, Washington, United States, 98503
        • Providence Regional Cancer System-Lacey
      • Longview, Washington, United States, 98632
        • PeaceHealth Saint John Medical Center
      • Renton, Washington, United States, 98055
        • Valley Medical Center
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98107
        • Swedish Medical Center-Ballard Campus
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98122
        • Swedish Medical Center-First Hill
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98112
        • Kaiser Permanente Washington
      • Sedro-Woolley, Washington, United States, 98284
        • PeaceHealth United General Medical Center
      • Silverdale, Washington, United States, 98383
        • Saint Michael Cancer Center
      • Tacoma, Washington, United States, 98405
        • Northwest Medical Specialties PLLC
      • Vancouver, Washington, United States, 98664
        • PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
      • Walla Walla, Washington, United States, 99362
        • Providence Saint Mary Regional Cancer Center
    • Wisconsin
      • Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, 54701
        • Marshfield Medical Center-EC Cancer Center
      • Marshfield, Wisconsin, United States, 54449
        • Marshfield Medical Center-Marshfield
      • Minocqua, Wisconsin, United States, 54548
        • Marshfield Medical Center - Minocqua
      • New Richmond, Wisconsin, United States, 54017
        • Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin
      • Rice Lake, Wisconsin, United States, 54868
        • Marshfield Medical Center-Rice Lake
      • Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States, 54482
        • Marshfield Medical Center-River Region at Stevens Point
      • Wausau, Wisconsin, United States, 54401
        • Marshfield Clinic-Wausau Center
      • Weston, Wisconsin, United States, 54476
        • Marshfield Medical Center - Weston
    • Wyoming
      • Cody, Wyoming, United States, 82414
        • Billings Clinic-Cody

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients must have pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of MCC by local pathology review
  • Have measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1 including at least two cancerous deposits; at least one deposit must be RECIST measurable while at least one deposit must meet criteria for SBRT; non-radiated tumor will be identified prior to randomization on the protocol

  • Patients must have advanced or metastatic MCC defined as evidence of distant metastasis(es) on imaging

    • Patients with locoregionally confined disease are not eligible
  • No prior immunotherapy for advanced/metastatic MCC
  • Patients with known or suspected central nervous system (CNS) metastases, untreated CNS metastases, or with the CNS as the only site of disease are excluded; however, subjects with controlled brain metastases will be allowed to enroll; controlled brain metastases are defined as no radiographic progression for at least 4 weeks following radiation and/or surgical treatment (or 4 weeks of observation if no intervention is clinically indicated), and off of steroids for at least 2 weeks, and no new or progressive neurological signs and symptoms

  • Patients having received palliative radiotherapy for extracranial metastasis(es) are eligible as long as there are 2 cancerous deposits that have not received prior radiation therapy (RT) and they meet the following criteria

    • No prior radiation therapy (> 5 Gy) to the metastasis intended to be treated with SBRT

  • No history of the following:

    • Autoimmunity requiring systemic immunosuppression within 2 years

    • Patients known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive are eligible if they meet the following:

      • CD4 counts >= 350 mm^3
      • Serum HIV viral load of < 25,000 IU/ml
  • No other active malignancy that the investigator determines would interfere with the treatment and safety analysis
  • Not pregnant and not nursing, because this study involves an investigational agent whose genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects on the developing fetus and newborn are unknown; therefore, for women of childbearing potential only, a negative (if your test schedule specifically indicates a urine or serum pregnancy test, add that information at this point) pregnancy test done =< 28 days prior to registration is required
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2
  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3
  • Platelet count >= 100,000/mm^3
  • Hemoglobin >= 9.0 g/dl
  • Total bilirubin =< 2.0 mg/dl
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =< 3.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • Systolic blood pressure (BP) =< 150 mg HG
  • Diastolic BP =< 90 mg HG
  • Albumin > 3 mg/dl
  • Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) =< 30 mg/dl
  • Creatinine =< 1.7 mg/dl
  • The following imaging workup to document metastases within 45 days prior to study registration are required: CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with radionuclide bone scan OR whole body (at least skull base to midthigh) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Group I (pembrolizumab)
Patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Cycles repeat every 21 days for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Biological: Pembrolizumab
Given IV
Other Names:
  • Keytruda
  • MK-3475
  • Lambrolizumab
  • SCH 900475
  • MK3475
  • SCH-900475
  • BCD-201
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar BCD-201
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar QL2107
  • QL2107
  • GME 751
  • GME751
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar GME751
  • MK 3475
  • SCH900475
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar RPH-075
  • RPH 075
  • RPH-075
  • RPH075
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar SB27
  • SB 27
  • SB-27
  • SB27
Experimental: Group II (pembrolizumab, SBRT)
Patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Cycles repeat every 21 days for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo SBRT for 3 doses during cycle 1.
Biological: Pembrolizumab
Given IV
Other Names:
  • Keytruda
  • MK-3475
  • Lambrolizumab
  • SCH 900475
  • MK3475
  • SCH-900475
  • BCD-201
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar BCD-201
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar QL2107
  • QL2107
  • GME 751
  • GME751
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar GME751
  • MK 3475
  • SCH900475
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar RPH-075
  • RPH 075
  • RPH-075
  • RPH075
  • Pembrolizumab Biosimilar SB27
  • SB 27
  • SB-27
  • SB27
Radiation: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
Undergo SBRT
Other Names:
  • SBRT
  • SABR
  • Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiation Therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Progression-free Survival (PFS)
Time Frame: From randomization to either disease progression or death (without progression), assessed up to 3 years
Will compare PFS in non-radiated lesion(s) of patients receiving either (a) stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) + pembrolizumab compared to (b) pembrolizumab alone in patients with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. Kaplan- Meier curves will be constructed and median PFS times will be calculated for each arm. Progression is defined using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0), as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, or a measurable increase in a non-target lesion, or the appearance of new lesions
From randomization to either disease progression or death (without progression), assessed up to 3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
PFS Among All Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Lesions
Time Frame: From randomization to either evidence of disease progression or death (without evidence of progression), assessed up to 3 years
Same as the primary endpoint, but includes both irradiated and non-radiated lesions. It is a time to event endpoint and will be evaluated using the Kaplan- Meier method. Median PFS times will be calculated for each arm and a cox proportional hazards model will be constructed to determine if there is a PFS benefit for patients receiving SBRT + pembrolizumab compared to pembrolizumab alone.
From randomization to either evidence of disease progression or death (without evidence of progression), assessed up to 3 years
Overall Response Rate
Time Frame: Up to 3 years
Defined as partial response (PR) on 2 consecutive evaluations. Response rates will be calculated and compared across treatment arms utilizing a chi-square test.
Up to 3 years
Progression-free Survival
Time Frame: At 6 months
The rates of success will be calculated and compared across treatment arms utilizing a chi-square test.
At 6 months
Incidence of Adverse Events
Time Frame: Up to 3 months
Graded according to National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Maximum grade adverse events will be summarized by treatment arm in a tabular setting.
Up to 3 months
PFS for Lesions Chosen for Radiation Prior to Randomization
Time Frame: Up to 3 years
The protocol irradiated tumors are considered to be controlled if they have no evidence of progression. No evidence of progression is defined as complete response, PR, or stable disease. Local control of the protocol-irradiated tumor will be described using the Kaplan-Meier technique.
Up to 3 years
Delivered Radiation Dose Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CT) Images
Time Frame: Up to 3 years
Radiation doses will be summarized descriptively and compared to the planned dose.
Up to 3 years

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Utility of CT-based radiomics
Time Frame: Up to 5 years
Will test the utility of CT-based radiomics algorithms to predict radiation-induced and drug induced pneumonitis. Patient imaging will be analyzed based on known radiomic signatures and correlated to incidence of pneumonitis reported as adverse events. The incidence of pneumonitis in total as well as by radiomic signatures will be descriptively summarized.
Up to 5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jason J Luke, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 12, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 7, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 19, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 5, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 6, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 9, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 12, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NCI-2017-01817 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))
  • U10CA180821 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • A091605 (Other Identifier: CTEP)

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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