A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) as First Line (1L) Intervention in a Programmed Cell Death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) Selected Population With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) (MK-7902-010/LEAP-010)-China Extension

A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Clinical Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib as 1L Intervention in a PD-L1 Selected Population of Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) (LEAP-010).

This is a study of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) with or without lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) as a first line intervention in a PD-L1 selected population with participants with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Hypotheses include:

• Pembrolizumab + lenvatinib is superior to pembrolizumab + placebo with respect to Objective Response Rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) by blinded independent central review (BICR).
• Pembrolizumab + lenvatinib is superior to pembrolizumab + placebo with respect to Progression Free Survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by BICR.
• Pembrolizumab + lenvatinib is superior to pembrolizumab + placebo with respect to overall survival (OS).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Lenvatinib; Drug: Placebo; Biological: Pembrolizumab

Detailed Description

The MK-7902-010-China Extension Study will include participants previously enrolled in China in the global study for MK-7902-010 (NCT04199104) plus those enrolled during the China extension enrollment period.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 112
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Anhui
    • Hefei, Anhui, China, 230031
      • Anhui Cancer Hospital-Radiology Department ( Site 3333)
  • Beijing Municipality
    • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100730
      • Beijing Tongren Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University ( Site 3343)
    • Beining, Beijing Municipality, China, 100036
      • Beijing Cancer Hospital ( Site 3314)
    • Bejiing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100032
      • Peking Union Medical College Hospital ( Site 3304)
  • Chongqing Municipality
    • Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, China, 400030
      • Chongqing Cancer Hospital ( Site 3327)
  • Fujian
    • Fuzhou, Fujian, China, 350014
      • Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital ( Site 3326)
  • Guangdong
    • Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510000
      • Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ( Site 3336)
    • Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510000
      • Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ( Site 3338)
    • Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510080
      • The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ( Site 3344)
  • Guangxi
    • Nanning, Guangxi, China, 530000
      • Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital ( Site 3322)
  • Guizhou
    • Guiyang, Guizhou, China, 550003
      • Guizhou Cancer Hospital ( Site 3330)
  • Heilongjiang
    • Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, 150081
      • The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University ( Site 3302)
  • Henan
    • Zhengzhou, Henan, China, 450008
      • Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 3309)
  • Hubei
    • Wuhan, Hubei, China, 430000
      • Wuhan Union hospital Cancer Center ( Site 3307)
    • Wuhan, Hubei, China, 430030
      • Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical,Science & Technology ( Site 3316)
  • Hunan
    • Changsha, Hunan, China, 410000
      • Hunan Cancer Hospital ( Site 3311)
    • Changsha, Hunan, China, 410008
      • Xiangya Hospital of Central South University ( Site 3305)
    • Changsha, Hunan, China, 410013
      • Hunan Cancer Hospital ( Site 3334)
  • Jiangsu
    • Changzhou, Jiangsu, China, 213000
      • Changzhou Tumor Hospital - Changzhou Fourth People's Hospital ( Site 3339)
  • Jiangxi
    • Nanchang, Jiangxi, China, 330029
      • Jiangxi Cancer Hospital ( Site 3313)
  • Jilin
    • Changchun, Jilin, China, 130000
      • Jilin Cancer Hospital ( Site 3310)
  • Shaanxi
    • Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, 710000
      • The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi an Jiaotong University ( Site 3328)
  • Shanghai Municipality
    • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 200011
      • Shanghai 9th People hospital ( Site 3332)
    • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 200032
      • Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center ( Site 3324)
    • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 200120
      • Shanghai East Hospital ( Site 3300)
  • Sichuan
    • Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610047
      • West China Hospital of Sichuan University ( Site 3308)
  • Tianjin Municipality
    • Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China, 300060
      • Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital ( Site 3312)
  • Zhejiang
    • Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310022
      • Zhejiang Cancer Hospital ( Site 3303)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has histologically confirmed diagnosis of recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) that is considered incurable by local therapies Note: Participants with newly-diagnosed HNSCC must be M1/Stage IV
• Has a primary tumor location of oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, or larynx Note: Primary tumor site of nasopharynx (any histology) or unknown primary tumor (including p16+ unknown primary) are not eligible

Contraceptive use by men should be consistent with local regulations regarding the methods of contraception for those participating in clinical studies. If the contraception requirements in the local label for any of the study interventions is more stringent than the requirements above, the local label requirements are to be followed

• Male participants agree to use approved contraception during the treatment period for at least 7 days after the last dose of lenvatinib/placebo, or refrain from heterosexual intercourse during this period
• Female participants are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and are not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP), OR are a WOCBP that agrees to use contraception during the treatment period (or 14 days prior to the initiation of study treatment for oral contraception) and for at least 120 days post pembrolizumab, or 30 days post lenvatinib/placebo, whichever occurs last
• Has measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) Note: Lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been showed in such lesions
• Participants with oropharyngeal cancer must have results from testing of human papillomavirus (HPV) status
• Has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score of 0 to 1
• Has adequately controlled blood pressure with or without antihypertensive medications
• Has adequate organ function

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has any evidence of symptoms or signs of active tumor bleeding within 6 months before randomization
• Has radiographic evidence of major blood vessel invasion/infiltration or tumor demonstrates >90 degree abutment or encasement of a major blood vessel Note: The degree of proximity to major blood vessels should be considered because of the potential risk of severe hemorrhage associated with tumor shrinkage/necrosis after lenvatinib therapy
• Has a history of re-irradiation to any head and neck sites of disease including the cervical, infraclavicular or supraclavicular lymph nodes for head and neck cancer
• Has ulceration and/or fungation of disease onto the skin surface
• Has a history of any contraindication or has a severe hypersensitivity to any components of pembrolizumab (≥Grade 3) or lenvatinib
• Has pre-existing ≥Grade 3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula
• Has a history of a gastrointestinal condition or procedure that, in the opinion of the investigator, may affect oral study drug absorption
• Has clinically significant cardiovascular impairment within 12 months of the first dose of study intervention, such as history of congestive heart failure greater than New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, unstable angina, myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke, cardiac revascularization, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability
• Has disease that is suitable for local therapy administered with curative intent
• Had PD within 6 months of completion of curatively intended systemic treatment for locoregionally advanced HNSCC
• Has had major surgery within 3 weeks before to first dose of study interventions
• Has difficulty swallowing capsules or ingesting a suspension orally or by a feeding tube
• Has received prior therapy with lenvatinib or pembrolizumab
• Received last dose of systemic therapy for locoregionally advanced disease less than 6 months before signing consent
• Has received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death 1 protein (anti-PD-1), anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1), or anti-programmed cell death ligand 2 (anti PD-L2) agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (e.g., CTLA-4, OX-40, CD137)
• Has received prior systemic anticancer therapy including investigational agents within 4 weeks before randomization
• Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention
• Has received a live vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study intervention. Administration of killed vaccines is allowed
• Has received an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to study intervention-administration
• Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior the first dose of study intervention
• Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years Note: Participants with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or carcinoma in situ (e.g., breast carcinoma, cervical cancer in situ) that have undergone potentially curative therapy are not excluded
• Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
• Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years. Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid) is allowed
• Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or has current pneumonitis
• Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy. (e.g., tuberculosis, known viral or bacterial infections, etc.)
• Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Has a known history of hepatitis B (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] reactive) or known active hepatitis C virus (defined as HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) [qualitative] is detected) infection
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of study intervention
• Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant
• Has a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorder that would interfere with the participant's ability to cooperate with the requirements of the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib; Participants receive lenvatinib 20 mg orally once a day (QD) plus pembrolizumab 200 mg by intravenous (IV) infusion on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle (Q3W). Pembrolizumab will be administered for up to 35 cycles (approximately 24 months). Lenvatinib will be administered until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity.	Drug: Lenvatinib; Lenvatinib, 20 mg (two 10-mg oral capsules) administered QD; Other Names: E7080; MK-7902; LENVIMA®; Biological: Pembrolizumab; Pembrolizumab (MK-3475), 200 mg, every 3 weeks (Q3W) by intravenous (IV) infusion for up to 35 3-week cycles; Other Names: MK-3475; Keytruda®
Active Comparator: Pembrolizumab + Placebo; Participants receive lenvatinib-matching placebo orally once a day (QD) plus pembrolizumab 200 mg by intravenous (IV) infusion on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle (Q3W). Pembrolizumab will be administered for up to 35 cycles (approximately 24 months). Lenvatinib-matching placebo will be administered until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity.	Drug: Placebo; Lenvatinib-matching placebo, oral capsules, administered once daily (QD); Biological: Pembrolizumab; Pembrolizumab (MK-3475), 200 mg, every 3 weeks (Q3W) by intravenous (IV) infusion for up to 35 3-week cycles; Other Names: MK-3475; Keytruda®

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)	ORR was defined as the percentage of participants 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 modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ. The percentage of participants who experienced a CR or PR based on modified RECIST 1.1 were reported.	Up to approximately 33 months
Progression Free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)	PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented progressive disease (PD) or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD was defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD.	Up to approximately 33 months
Overall Survival (OS)	OS was the time from randomization to death due to any cause.	Up to approximately 33 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Duration of Response (DOR)	For participants who demonstrate a confirmed complete response (CR: Disappearance of all target lesions) or confirmed Partial Response (PR: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1, DOR is defined as the time from first documented evidence of CR or PR until disease progression or death.	Up to approximately 33 months
Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)	An adverse event (AE) was defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it is considered related to the medical treatment or procedure, that occurs during the course of the study. Number of participants who experienced an AE will be reported.	Up to approximately 52 months
Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Drug Due to an AE	An adverse event (AE) is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it is considered related to the medical treatment or procedure, that occurs during the course of the study.	Up to approximately 34 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
• Collaborators: Eisai Inc.
• Investigators: Study Director: Medical Director, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Merck Clinical Trials Information

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 30, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 25, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): March 28, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 29, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 29, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): August 31, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 13, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 20, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: PD-L1; pembrolizumab; lenvatinib; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; pembrolizumab; lenvatinib
• Other Study ID Numbers: 7902-010 China Extension; LEAP-10 (Other Identifier: MSD); 205240 (Registry Identifier: JAPIC-CTI); MK-7902-010 China Extension (Other Identifier: MSD)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf

Drug and device information, study documents

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