Study of MK-7162 in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Adult Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors (MK-7162-002)

Phase 1b Open-label Study of MK-7162 in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) +/- Other Therapies in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors

The purposes of this study are to determine the safety and tolerability of MK-7162 when administered in combination with pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and to establish a preliminary recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of MK-7162 when administered in combination with pembrolizumab.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Solid Neoplasms
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: MK-7162

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 33
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2M9
      • Princess Margaret Hospital.. ( Site 0130)
• Israel
  • Ramat-Gan, Israel, 5265601
    • Chaim Sheba Medical Center. ( Site 0301)
• Korea, Republic of
  • Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 03722
    • Severance Hospital Yonsei University Health System ( Site 0103)
• United States
  • California
    • Santa Monica, California, United States, 90404
      • UCLA Medical Center ( Site 0002)
  • Michigan
    • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49546
      • START Midwest ( Site 0007)
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10016
      • Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center ( Site 0001)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has a histologically- or cytologically-confirmed advanced/metastatic solid tumor by pathology report and have received, or been intolerant to, or been ineligible for all treatment known to confer clinical benefit. Participants with solid tumors of any type are eligible for enrollment.
• Has stage III or stage IV disease that is not surgically resectable.
• Has measurable disease by RECIST 1.1 criteria as assessed by the local site investigator/radiology.
• Has 1 or more discrete malignant lesions that are amenable to ≥2 separate biopsies guided by one of the following modalities: visual inspection, ultrasound guidance, or cross sectional image guidance (computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging [CT/MRI]).
• Has an evaluable baseline tumor sample to submit for analysis.
• Has a performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Scale.
• Demonstrates adequate organ function.
• If male, must agree to use contraception and refrain from donating sperm during the treatment period and for ≥120 days after last dose of study treatment.
• If female, is not pregnant or breastfeeding, and if a woman of childbearing potential (WOCCBP), agrees to use contraception during the treatment period and for ≥120 days after last dose of study treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has a history of a second malignancy, unless potentially curative treatment has been completed with no evidence of malignancy for 2 years. (Note: The time requirement does not apply to participants who underwent successful definitive resection of basal cell carcinoma of the skin, superficial bladder cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other in-situ cancers.)
• Has a known active central nervous system metastasis and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
• Has had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to treatment with a monoclonal antibody/components of the study treatment(s).
• Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years except vitiligo or resolved childhood asthma/atopy.
• Has a history of vasculitis.
• Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
• Has symptomatic ascites or pleural effusion.
• Has interstitial lung disease that has required oral or intravenous glucocorticoids to assist with management.
• Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or has current pneumonitis.
• Has undergone prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within the last 5 years. (Note: Participants who have had a stem cell transplant >5 years ago are eligible as long as there are no symptoms of graft-versus-host disease [GVHD].)
• Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• Has known active Hepatitis B or known active Hepatitis C virus infection.
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study.
• Has not fully recovered from any effects of major surgery without significant detectable infection.
• Has received prior systemic anti-cancer therapy including investigational agents or has used an investigational device within 28 days prior to the first dose of study treatment. (Notes: Participants must have recovered from all AEs due to previous therapies to ≤Grade 1 or baseline. Prior exposure to immunotherapeutics is allowed, including programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, provided the participant did not experience ≥Grade 3 drug-related toxicity on monotherapy with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor.
• Has been previously treated with an Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) inhibitor (e.g., epacadostat, BMS-986205)
• Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study treatment.
• Is receiving a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or any drug which has significant MAOI activity (e.g., meperidine, linezolid, methylene blue) within the 21 days before screening, or has a history of Serotonin Syndrome after receiving serotonergic drugs.
• Is expected to require any non-protocol antineoplastic therapy while on study.
• Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy in excess of replacement doses (the equivalent of prednisone ≤10 mg/day is acceptable), or on any other form of immunosuppressive medication.
• Has received a live-virus vaccine within 30 days prior to first dose of study medication.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: MK-7162 25 mg +Pembrolizumab (Pembro); Participants receive MK-7162 25 mg via oral tablets once daily (QD) throughout the 3-week cycle. Cycles 2 through 36: Participants receive MK-7162 25 mg orally QD PLUS pembrolizumab 200 mg via intravenous (IV) infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle (every 3 weeks [Q3W]).	Biological: Pembrolizumab; IV infusion; Other Names: Keytruda; MK-3475; Drug: MK-7162; oral tablets
Experimental: MK-7162 50 mg + Pembro; Participants receive MK-7162 50 mg via oral tablets QD throughout the 3-week cycle. Cycles 2 through 36: Participants receive MK-71625 50 mg orally QD PLUS pembrolizumab 200 mg via IV infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle Q3W	Biological: Pembrolizumab; IV infusion; Other Names: Keytruda; MK-3475; Drug: MK-7162; oral tablets
Experimental: MK-7162 100 mg + Pembro; Participants receive MK-7162 100 mg via oral tablets QD throughout the 3-week cycle. Cycles 2 through 36: Participants receive MK-7162 100 mg orally QD PLUS pembrolizumab 200 mg via IV infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle Q3W	Biological: Pembrolizumab; IV infusion; Other Names: Keytruda; MK-3475; Drug: MK-7162; oral tablets
Experimental: MK-7162 200 mg + Pembro; Participants receive MK-7162 200 mg via oral tablets QD throughout the 3-week cycle. Cycles 2 through 36: Participants receive MK-7162 200 mg orally QD PLUS pembrolizumab 200 mg via IV infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle Q3W	Biological: Pembrolizumab; IV infusion; Other Names: Keytruda; MK-3475; Drug: MK-7162; oral tablets

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants Experiencing Dose-limiting Toxicities (DLTs) as Assessed Using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4.0 by the Investigator	The following events, if considered drug related by the investigator, are considered a DLT: Grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity; Grade 4 hematologic toxicity lasting ≥7 days, except thrombocytopenia; Grade 4 thrombocytopenia of any duration; Grade 3 thrombocytopenia associated with bleeding; Nonhematologic Adverse Events (AE) ≥Grade 3 with exceptions; Grade 3 or Grade 4 non-hematologic laboratory values if requires medical intervention, leads to hospitalization, persists for >1 week, or results in a Drug-induced Liver Injury with exceptions; Grade 3 of 4 febrile neutropenia; Treatment-related toxicities that lead to discontinuation of study treatment during Cycles 1 or 2; Prolonged delay (>2 weeks) in initiating Cycles 2 or 3 due to treatment-related toxicity; Missing >25% of MK-7162 doses as a result of treatment-related AE during Cycles 1 or 2; Grade 5 toxicity.	Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (Up to 6 weeks)
Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)	An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study treatment.	Up to Approximately 27 Months
Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Drug Due to an AE	An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study intervention.	Up to Approximately 26 Months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve (AUC) From 0-8 Hours of MK-7261 Alone and in Combination With Pembrolizumab	Blood samples were collected at designated time points for determining the AUC₀-₈ of MK-7162 in plasma when administered alone and in combination with pembrolizumab.	Pre-dose and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours post-dose on Cycle 1, Days 1 & 15; and Cycle 3, Day 1
Minimum Plasma Concentration (Cmin) of MK-7162	Blood samples were obtained at designated time points to determine the Cmin of MK-7162 in plasma.	Pre-dose and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours post-dose on Cycle 1, Day 14
Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-7162 When Administered Alone and in Combination With Pembrolizumab	Blood samples were collected at designated time points to determine the Cmax of MK-7162 in plasma when administered alone and in combination with pembrolizumab.	Pre-dose and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours post-dose on Cycle 1, Days 1 and 15 and Cycle 3, Day 1
Kynurenine (KYN) Biomarker Plasma Concentration	MK-7162 is a selective inhibitor of Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) activity which, in turn, reduces the conversion of TRP to KYN. Venous blood samples were collected after an overnight fast for measurement of plasma levels of KYN as a pharmacodynamic biomarker of IDO1 inhibition.	Cycle 1 Days 1 & 15: predose, 1, 2, 4 & 8 hours postdose; Cycle 2 Day 1: predose; Cycle 3 Day 1: predose, 1, 2, 4 & 8 hours postdose; Cycle 3 Day 15: predose
Tryptophan (TRP) Biomarker Plasma Concentration	MK-7162 is a selective inhibitor of Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) activity which, in turn, reduces the conversion of TRP to KYN. Venous blood samples were collected at designated time points after an overnight fast for measurement of plasma levels of TRP as a pharmacodynamic biomarker of IDO1 inhibition.	Cycle 1 Days 1 & 15: predose, 1, 2, 4 & 8 hours postdose; Cycle 2 Day 1: predose; Cycle 3 Day 1: predose, 1, 2, 4 & 8 hours postdose; Cycle 3 Day 15: predose
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Based on Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by the Investigator	ORR is defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who have a Complete Response (CR: Disappearance of all target lesions) or a Partial Response (PR: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters) per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by the Investigator. The percentage of participants who experience a CR or PR based on RECIST 1.1 will be presented.	Up to approximately 28 months
Overall Response Based on Immune Response Evaluation Criteria (iRECIST) In Solid Tumors	Participants with PD by RECIST 1.1 as determined by investigator underwent confirmatory imaging to classify the disease as confirmed progressive disease (iCPD), unconfirmed progressive disease [iUPD]), stable disease (iSD), partial response (iPR) or complete response (iCR). iCPD definition: Worsening of target lesions (increase in the sum of diameters of ≥5 mm); Any significant growth in non-target lesions, Appearance of new lesions, increase in new lesion sum of diameters by ≥5 mm; Visible growth of new non-target lesions; or appearance of new factor that would have triggered PD by RECIST 1.1. Responses are classified as iSD or iPR (depending on the sum of diameters of the target lesions), or iCR if all lesions resolve. iUPD overall response is defined as none of the progression-confirming factors identified in iCPD occurs AND The target lesion sum of diameters (initial target lesions) remains above the initial PD threshold (by RECIST 1.1)	Up to approximately 28 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 6, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 19, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): October 19, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 30, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 30, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): December 6, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 15, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 11, 2021
• Last Verified: November 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Pembrolizumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: 7162-002; 2017-000418-49 (EudraCT Number); MK-7162-002 (Other Identifier: Merck Protocol Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Yes
• IPD Plan Description: http://engagezone.msd.com/doc/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No