Safety and Efficacy of Coformulated Pembrolizumab/Quavonlimab (MK-1308A) in Combination With Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (MK-1308A-004)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04740307 |
Recruitment Status :
Active, not recruiting
First Posted : February 5, 2021
Last Update Posted : June 30, 2022
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma | Biological: Pembrolizumab/Quavonlimab Drug: Lenvatinib Biological: Pembrolizumab | Phase 2 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 110 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Phase 2, Multicenter, Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of MK-1308A (Coformulated MK-1308/MK-3475) in Combination With Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) in First-line Therapy of Participants With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
Actual Study Start Date : | March 16, 2021 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | March 8, 2026 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | March 8, 2026 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Pembrolizumab/Quavonlimab + Lenvatinib
Participants receive pembrolizumab/quavonlimab via intravenous (IV) infusion every 6 weeks (Q6W) for up to 2 years, plus lenvatinib orally (based on actual body weight at screening) until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity for up to 5 years. In the event of discontinuation of pembrolizumab/quavonlimab due to intolerable toxicity, re-initiation of treatment with pembrolizumab may be considered.
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Biological: Pembrolizumab/Quavonlimab
Pembrolizumab/Quavonlimab (400 mg/25 mg) administered via IV infusion Q6W.
Other Name: MK-1308A Drug: Lenvatinib Lenvatinib 12 mg (body weight [BW] ≥60 kg) or 8 mg (BW <60 kg) administered orally every day (QD).
Other Name: MK-7902 Biological: Pembrolizumab Pembrolizumab (400 mg) administered via IV infusion Q6W, in the event of intolerable toxicity to pembrolizumab/quavonlimab.
Other Names:
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- Number of participants with a Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT) in the Safety Lead-in Phase [ Time Frame: Cycle 1 (Up to approximately 3 weeks) ]DLTs will be defined as follows unless determined to be unrelated to study intervention: any Grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity (not laboratory); any Grade 4 hematologic toxicity lasting >7 days (Grade 4 lymphopenia lasting ≥21 days); Grade 3 platelet count decreased if associated with clinically significant hemorrhage; any Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity (not laboratory) lasting >3 days despite optimal supportive care; any clinically significant Grade 3 or Grade 4 nonhematologic laboratory abnormality if: medical intervention is required to treat participant, or abnormality leads to hospitalization, or abnormality persists for >1 week (or bilirubin if persists >4 weeks); aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >10.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN) or >10.0 times baseline if baseline >ULN; any febrile neutropenia Grade 3 or Grade 4; any treatment-related AE that causes the participant to discontinue study intervention during the DLT window; any Grade 5 toxicity
- Number of participants with ≥1 adverse event (AE) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 5 years ]An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment. The number of participants with an AE will be reported.
- Number of participants with ≥1 serious adverse event (SAE) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 5 years ]An AE is 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 SAE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose: results in death, is life-threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, is a congenital anomaly/birth defect, or is another important medical event. The number of participants with an SAE will be reported.
- Number of participants with ≥1 immune-related AE (irAE) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 5 years ]An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment. AEs associated with MK-1308A exposure may represent an immune-related response. irAEs pre-specified for this study include pneumonitis, diarrhea/colitis, Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or hyperglycemia, hypophysitis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, nephritis (grading according to increased creatinine or acute kidney injury), and myocarditis. The number of participants with an irAE will be reported.
- Number of participants with ≥1 hepatic AE [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 5 years ]An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment. Hepatic events of clinical interest (ECIs) include any of the following events if the event is considered not due to disease progression as judged by the investigator: among participants with Baseline ALT <2 × ULN: ALT ≥5 × ULN; among participants with Baseline ALT ≥2 × ULN: ALT >3 × the Baseline level; ALT >500 U/L regardless of baseline level; total bilirubin >3.0 mg/dL; hepatic decompensation diagnosed clinically (regardless of laboratory values) including new onset clinically detectable ascites requiring intervention for >3 days, hepatic encephalopathy, or gastrointestinal bleeding suggestive of portal hypertension. The number of participants with a hepatic AE will be reported.
- Number of participants discontinuing study treatment due to an AE [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 5 years ]An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment. The number of participants that discontinue study treatment due to an AE will be reported.
- 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) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who achieve a confirmed Complete Response (CR: disappearance of all target lesions) or a Partial Response (PR: at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters [SOD] of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1 adjusted for this study to allow a maximum of 10 target lesions in total and 5 per organ, and assessed by BICR.
- Duration of Response (DOR) per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]For participants who demonstrate confirmed CR or PR per RECIST 1.1 assessed by BICR, DOR is defined as the time from the first documented evidence of CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the SOD of target lesions) until progressive disease (PD) or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1 adjusted for this study to allow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, PD is defined as at least a 20% increase in the SOD of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD.
- Disease Control Rate (DCR) per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]DCR is defined as the percentage of participants who have achieved CR (disappearance of all target lesions), PR (at least a 30% decrease in the SOD of target lesions), or stable disease (SD: neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for PD) after ≥6 weeks (the start of the window for the first scheduled scan) per RECIST 1.1 assessed by BICR. Per RECIST 1.1 adjusted for this study to allow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, PD is defined as at least a 20% increase in the SOD of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD.
- Progression Free Survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]PFS is defined as the time from the first dose of study intervention to the first documented PD per RECIST 1.1 by BICR or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1 adjusted for this study to allow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, PD is defined as at least a 20% increase in the SOD of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD.
- Time-To-Progression (TTP) per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]TTP is defined as the time from the first dose of study intervention to the first documented PD per RECIST 1.1 assessed by BICR. Per RECIST 1.1 adjusted for this study to allow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, PD is defined as at least a 20% increase in the SOD of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD.
- Overall Survival (OS) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]OS is defined as the time from the first dose of study intervention to death due to any cause.
- ORR per modified RECIST (mRECIST) as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who achieve a confirmed CR (disappearance of any intratumoral arterial enhancement in all target lesions) or a PR (at least a 30% decrease in the SOD of viable [contrast enhancement in the arterial phase] target lesions, taking as reference the baseline SOD of target lesions) per mRECIST as assessed by BICR. mRECIST for HCC allows evaluation of treatment effects that are not reflected in simple total size changes of lesions.
- DOR per mRECIST as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]For participants who demonstrate confirmed CR or PR per mRECIST assessed by BICR, DOR is defined as the time from the first documented evidence of CR (disappearance of any intratumoral arterial enhancement in all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the SOD of viable [contrast enhancement in the arterial phase] target lesions, taking as reference the baseline SOD of target lesions) until PD or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. mRECIST for HCC allows evaluation of treatment effects that are not reflected in simple total size changes of lesions. Per mRECIST, PD was defined as an increase of at least 20% in the SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions, taking as reference the smallest SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions recorded since the treatment started.
- DCR per mRECIST as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]DCR is defined as the percentage of participants who have achieved CR (disappearance of any intratumoral arterial enhancement in all target lesions), PR (at least a 30% decrease in the SOD of viable [contrast enhancement in the arterial phase] target lesions, taking as reference the baseline SOD of target lesions), or SD (any cases that do not qualify for either PR or PD) after ≥6 weeks (the start of the window for the first scheduled scan) per mRECIST assessed by BICR. mRECIST for HCC allows evaluation of treatment effects that are not reflected in simple total size changes of lesions. Per mRECIST, PD was defined as an increase of at least 20% in the SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions, taking as reference the smallest SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions recorded since the treatment started.
- PFS per mRECIST as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]PFS is defined as the time from the first dose of study intervention to the first documented PD per mRECIST by BICR or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. mRECIST for HCC allows evaluation of treatment effects that are not reflected in simple total size changes of lesions. Per mRECIST, PD was defined as an increase of at least 20% in the SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions, taking as reference the smallest SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions recorded since the treatment started.
- TTP per mRECIST as assessed by BICR [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 28 months ]TTP is defined as the time from the first dose of study intervention to the first documented PD per mRECIST assessed by BICR. mRECIST for HCC allows evaluation of treatment effects that are not reflected in simple total size changes of lesions. Per mRECIST, PD was defined as an increase of at least 20% in the SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions, taking as reference the smallest SODs of viable (enhancing) target lesions recorded since the treatment started.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Has an HCC diagnosis confirmed by radiology, histology, or cytology (fibrolamellar and mixed hepatocellular/cholangiocarcinoma subtypes are not eligible)
- Has Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage C disease, or BCLC Stage B disease not amenable to locoregional therapy or refractory to locoregional therapy, and not amenable to a curative treatment approach
- Has a Child-Pugh class A liver score within 7 days prior to first dose of study intervention.
- Has a predicted life expectancy of >3 months
- Has at least 1 measurable HCC lesion based on RECIST 1.1, confirmed by BICR
- Has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score (ECOG PS) of 0 to 1 within 7 days prior to first dose of study intervention.
- Participants with controlled hepatitis B will be eligible as long as they meet the following criteria: antiviral therapy for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) must be given for at least 4 weeks and HBV viral load must be less than 500 IU/mL prior to first dose of study drug
- Has adequately controlled blood pressure with or without antihypertensive medications
- Has adequate organ function.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Has had esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding within the last 6 months.
- Has bleeding or thrombotic disorders or use of factor X inhibitors or anticoagulants requiring therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring, e.g., warfarin or similar agents
- Has clinically apparent ascites on physical examination
- Has inferior vena cava or cardiac involvement of HCC based on imaging
- Has had clinically diagnosed hepatic encephalopathy in the last 6 months unresponsive to therapy
- Has medical contraindications that preclude all forms of contrast-enhanced imaging (computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI])
- Has gastrointestinal malabsorption, gastrointestinal anastomosis, or any other condition that might affect the absorption of lenvatinib
- Has a preexisting Grade ≥3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula
- Has clinically active hemoptysis (bright red blood of a least 0.5 teaspoon) within 3 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug
- Has clinically significant cardiovascular impairment within 12 months of the first dose of study intervention, including New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability
- Has had major surgery to the liver within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention
- Has had a minor surgery (i.e., simple excision) within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention (Cycle 1 Day 1)
- Has serious nonhealing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
- Has received any systemic chemotherapy, including anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, or any systemic investigational anticancer agents for treatment of HCC
- Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or coinhibitory T-cell receptor
- Has received locoregional therapy to liver within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention
- Has received prior radiotherapy to a non-liver region within 2 weeks of start of study intervention
- Has received a live or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study drug
- Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention
- Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy 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
- Has a known history of, or any evidence of, central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis as assessed by local site investigator
- Has severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to study intervention and/or any of their excipients
- Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years
- Has a history of (noninfectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease that required steroids or has current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease
- Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy, with the exception of HBV or Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Has dual active HBV infection (HBsAg (+) and /or detectable HBV DNA) and HCV infection (anti-HCV antibody [Ab] positive and detectable HCV RNA) at study entry
- Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator
- Has a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorder that would interfere with the participants ability to cooperate with the requirements of the study
- Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04740307

Study Director: | Medical Director | Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC |
Responsible Party: | Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT04740307 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
1308A-004 MK-1308A-004 ( Other Identifier: Merck ) jRCT2061210033 ( Other Identifier: jRCT (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials) ) 2020-004490-52 ( EudraCT Number ) |
First Posted: | February 5, 2021 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | June 30, 2022 |
Last Verified: | June 2022 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | http://engagezone.msd.com/doc/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf |
URL: | http://engagezone.msd.com/ds_documentation.php |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD1, PD-1) Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL1, PD-L1) Programmed Death-Ligand 2 (PDL2, PD-L2) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor |
Carcinoma Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms Adenocarcinoma Liver Neoplasms Digestive System Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site |
Digestive System Diseases Liver Diseases Pembrolizumab Lenvatinib Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological Antineoplastic Agents Protein Kinase Inhibitors Enzyme Inhibitors Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action |