Trial purpose
Cancer treatment
Tumor type
Upper gastrointestinal tract
Age
18+
Clinical summary
Summary
The purpose of this trial is to evaluate efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab plus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy versus placebo plus cisplatin and 5-FU chemotherapy as first-line treatment in participants with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal carcinoma. In the experimental arm, participants will receive pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously (IV) every 3 weeks (Q3W), cisplatin 80 mg/m^2 IV Q3W, and 5-FU 800 mg/m^2/day continuous IV infusion on Days 1 to 5 (120 hours). In the control arm, Participants receive placebo to pembrolizumab (saline) IV Q3W, cisplatin 80 mg/m^2 IV Q3W, and 5-FU 800 mg/m^2/day continuous IV infusion on Days 1 to 5 (120 hours). All treatments will be administered on an outpatient basis beginning on Day 1 of each 3-week dosing cycle.
Conditions
This trial is treating people with oesophageal cancer
Eligibility
Inclusion
- Has histologically- or cytologically-confirmed diagnosis of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus or advanced/metastatic Siewert type 1 adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ)
- Has measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 as determined by the local site investigator/radiology assessment
- Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1
- Can provide either a newly obtained or archival tissue sample for PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry analysis
- Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to randomization and be willing to use an adequate method of contraception (e.g. abstinence, intrauterine device, diaphragm with spermicide, etc.) for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study treatment and up to 180 days after last dose of cisplatin
- Male participants of childbearing potential must agree to use an adequate method of contraception (e.g. abstinence, vasectomy, male condom, etc.) starting with the first dose of study treatment through 120 days after the last dose of study treatment and up to 180 days after last dose of cisplatin, and refrain from donating sperm during this period
- Has adequate organ function
Exclusion
- Has locally advanced esophageal carcinoma that is resectable or potentially curable with radiation therapy (as determined by local investigator)
- Has had previous therapy for advanced/metastatic adenocarcinoma or squamous cell cancer of the esophagus or advanced/metastatic Siewert type 1 adenocarcinoma of the EGJ
- Has had major surgery, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to randomization, or anticipation of the need for major surgery during the course of study treatment
- Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment. Exceptions include early-stage cancers (carcinoma in situ or Stage 1) treated with curative intent, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ cervical cancer, in situ breast cancer that has undergone potentially curative therapy, and in situ or intramucosal pharyngeal cancer
- Has known active central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
- Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years
- 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 to the first dose of study treatment, or has a history of organ transplant, including allogeneic stem cell transplant
- Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or has current pneumonitis, or has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
- 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 medication and up to 180 days after last dose of cisplatin
- Has received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1), anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent or with an agent directed to another co-inhibitory T-cell receptor or has previously participated in a pembrolizumab (MK-3475) clinical trial
- Has severe hypersensitivity (≥ Grade 3) to any study treatment (pembrolizumab, cisplatin, or 5-FU) and/or any of its excipients
- Has a known history of active tuberculosis (TB; Mycobacterium tuberculosis) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Has known history of or is positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study treatment
- Has had radiotherapy within 14 days of randomization. Participants who received radiotherapy >14 days prior to randomization must have completely recovered from any radiotherapy-related AEs/toxicities
Inclusion
- Your cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or has grown into nearby parts of the body (locally advanced).
Exclusion
- You have been diagnosed with a prior or secondary type of cancer.
- You have certain types of non-cancer medical conditions.
- You have had certain treatments, surgical procedures or drugs.
Clinical trials have complex eligibility criteria, and other criteria may apply for this trial. Ask your doctor about whether this trial could be right for you.
More information
Trial Identifiers
Information on this page is partially produced from ClinicalTrials.gov *. View further details about this trial on the registry via the links below:
Trial sponsor
Merck
Scientific Title
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Clinical Trial of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil Versus Placebo in Combination With Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil as First-Line Treatment in Subjects With Advanced/Metastatic Esophageal Carcinoma
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