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

NCT ID: NCT05523323

Last Updated: 2025-04-18

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

112 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-10-30

Study Completion Date

2025-03-28

Brief Summary

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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).

Detailed Description

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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.

Conditions

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Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators
Study was unblinded on August 16, 2023

Study Groups

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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.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Lenvatinib

Intervention Type DRUG

Lenvatinib, 20 mg (two 10-mg oral capsules) administered QD

Pembrolizumab

Intervention Type BIOLOGICAL

Pembrolizumab (MK-3475), 200 mg, every 3 weeks (Q3W) by intravenous (IV) infusion for up to 35 3-week cycles

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.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Pembrolizumab

Intervention Type BIOLOGICAL

Pembrolizumab (MK-3475), 200 mg, every 3 weeks (Q3W) by intravenous (IV) infusion for up to 35 3-week cycles

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Lenvatinib-matching placebo, oral capsules, administered once daily (QD)

Interventions

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Lenvatinib

Lenvatinib, 20 mg (two 10-mg oral capsules) administered QD

Intervention Type DRUG

Pembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab (MK-3475), 200 mg, every 3 weeks (Q3W) by intravenous (IV) infusion for up to 35 3-week cycles

Intervention Type BIOLOGICAL

Placebo

Lenvatinib-matching placebo, oral capsules, administered once daily (QD)

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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E7080 MK-7902 LENVIMA® MK-3475 Keytruda®

Eligibility Criteria

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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
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Eisai Inc.

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Medical Director

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Locations

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Anhui Cancer Hospital-Radiology Department ( Site 3333)

Hefei, Anhui, China

Site Status

Beijing Tongren Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University ( Site 3343)

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China

Site Status

Beijing Cancer Hospital ( Site 3314)

Beining, Beijing Municipality, China

Site Status

Peking Union Medical College Hospital ( Site 3304)

Bejiing, Beijing Municipality, China

Site Status

Chongqing Cancer Hospital ( Site 3327)

Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, China

Site Status

Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital ( Site 3326)

Fuzhou, Fujian, China

Site Status

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ( Site 3336)

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Site Status

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ( Site 3338)

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Site Status

The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ( Site 3344)

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Site Status

Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital ( Site 3322)

Nanning, Guangxi, China

Site Status

Guizhou Cancer Hospital ( Site 3330)

Guiyang, Guizhou, China

Site Status

The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University ( Site 3302)

Harbin, Heilongjiang, China

Site Status

Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 3309)

Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Site Status

Wuhan Union hospital Cancer Center ( Site 3307)

Wuhan, Hubei, China

Site Status

Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical,Science & Technology ( Site 3316)

Wuhan, Hubei, China

Site Status

Hunan Cancer Hospital ( Site 3311)

Changsha, Hunan, China

Site Status

Xiangya Hospital of Central South University ( Site 3305)

Changsha, Hunan, China

Site Status

Hunan Cancer Hospital ( Site 3334)

Changsha, Hunan, China

Site Status

Changzhou Tumor Hospital - Changzhou Fourth People's Hospital ( Site 3339)

Changzhou, Jiangsu, China

Site Status

Jiangxi Cancer Hospital ( Site 3313)

Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

Site Status

Jilin Cancer Hospital ( Site 3310)

Changchun, Jilin, China

Site Status

The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi an Jiaotong University ( Site 3328)

Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Site Status

Shanghai 9th People hospital ( Site 3332)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Site Status

Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center ( Site 3324)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Site Status

Shanghai East Hospital ( Site 3300)

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Site Status

West China Hospital of Sichuan University ( Site 3308)

Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Site Status

Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital ( Site 3312)

Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China

Site Status

Zhejiang Cancer Hospital ( Site 3303)

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Site Status

Countries

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China

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Related Links

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https://www.merckclinicaltrials.com/

Merck Clinical Trials Information

Other Identifiers

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MK-7902-010 China Extension

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

205240

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

LEAP-10

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

7902-010 China Extension

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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