A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma

Overview

About this study

This is a study of pembrolizumab for advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma; pembrolizumab will be given as monotherapy to participants who have had previous treatment or who are treatment-naïve; pembrolizumab will also be evaluated as combination therapy with cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in treatment-naïve participants. The primary study hypothesis is that pembrolizumab will provide a clinically meaningful overall response rate.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria Cohort 1:

  • Received and progressed on at least 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for their advanced disease; prior regimen must have included a cisplatin and a fluoropyridine
  • Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) negative, or, if HER2/neu positive, must have previously received treatment with trastuzumab

Inclusion Criteria Cohort 2 or 3:

  • HER2/neu negative
  • Has not received prior systemic anti-cancer therapy for their advanced carcinoma (systemic therapy received in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting does not count)

Inclusion Criteria All Participants:

  • Histologically- or cytologically-confirmed recurrent or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma that is considered incurable by local therapies
  • Willing to provide tissue for PD-L1 biomarker analysis from newly-obtained and/or archival tissue
  • Measurable disease based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1
  • Female participants of childbearing potential should have a negative pregnancy test and be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication (180 days for participants receiving cisplatin + 5FU)
  • Male participants should agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose through 120 days after the last dose of study medication (180 days for participants receiving cisplatin + 5FU)
  • Adequate organ function

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Currently participating and receiving study therapy or participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigation device within 4 weeks of the first dose of study medication
  • Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years
  • Immunodeficiency or receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study medication
  • Prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier
  • Prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered from adverse events due to a previously administered agent
  • Known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment excepting basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer
  • Known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
  • Known history of, or any evidence of active, non-infectious pneumonitis
  • Active infection requiring systemic therapy
  • Psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the study
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of study medication (180 days for participants receiving cisplatin + 5FU)
  • Prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent, or previously participated in Merck pembrolizumab (MK-3475) clinical trials
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Hepatitis B or C
  • Received live vaccine within 30 days of planned start of study medication

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Harry Yoon, M.D.

Closed for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

(855) 776-0015

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

Additional contact information

Cancer-related trials contact form

Phone: 855-776-0015 (toll-free)

International patient clinical studies questions