Clinical trial Recruiting at 46 sites Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Combination treatment for advanced esophageal cancer

Official title: A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of Investigational Agents With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Chemotherapy in Participants With 1L Locally Advanced Unresectable/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (Gastric Adenocarcinoma, Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma): Substudy 06C

Run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · NCT06469944 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new combination of treatments for patients with advanced esophageal cancer to see if it is safe and effective for those who haven't had treatment before.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment160 (estimated)
SponsorMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, sacituzumab, patritumab, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy
Locations50 sites (Tucson, Arizona and 49 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 20, 2024
Main results expectedSeptember 12, 2029
Study endsSeptember 12, 2029
Registry record updatedOctober 7, 2026
Trial IDNCT06469944 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are patients with untreated locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Probably not a fit

Patients with HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma or those requiring tumor resection during treatment may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and tolerability of sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy for patients with first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. It consists of a safety lead-in phase to determine the recommended dose and an efficacy phase to assess treatment outcomes. The study aims to provide a new therapeutic option for patients who have not received prior systemic therapy for their cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a new effective option for patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in treating advanced cancers, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

* Has histologically and/or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of previously untreated locally advanced unresectable or metastatic first-line (1L) gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
* Is not expected to require tumor resection during the treatment course
* Tumor tissue must be confirmed as negative for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression as classified by American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO-CAP) guidelines
* Core/excisional biopsy of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated has been provided
* Participants who have adverse events (AEs) due to previous anticancer therapies must have recovered to ≤Grade 1 or baseline
* Participants with endocrine-related AEs who are adequately treated with hormone replacement therapy are eligible
* Has adequate organ function
* Has measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as determined by the local site investigator/radiology assessment and verified by blinded independent central review (BICR)
* Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 within 3 days prior to the first dose of study intervention
* Has a life expectancy of at least 6 months
* Participants who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive are eligible if they have received Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) antiviral therapy for at least 4 weeks, and have undetectable HBV viral load prior to allocation/randomization
* Participants with history of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection are eligible if HCV viral load is undetectable at screening
* Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected participants must have well controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

* Has squamous cell or undifferentiated gastroesophageal cancer.
* Has had previous therapy for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ)/esophageal adenocarcinoma
* Has experienced weight loss \>20% over 3 months before the first dose of study intervention
* Has a history of documented severe dry eye syndrome, severe Meibomian gland disease and/or blepharitis, or severe corneal disease that prevents/delays corneal healing
* Has Grade ≥2 peripheral neuropathy
* Has active inflammatory bowel disease requiring immunosuppressive medication or previous history of inflammatory bowel disease
* Has uncontrolled, significant cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease within 6 months preceding study intervention
* Has accumulation of pleural, ascitic, or pericardial fluid requiring drainage or diuretic drugs within 2 weeks prior to enrollment
* Has history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with Kaposi's sarcoma and/or Multicentric Castleman's Disease
* Has received prior treatment with a trophoblast antigen 2 (TROP2)-targeted or anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) targeted agents
* Has received prior treatment with a topoisomerase I inhibitor-based antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and/or a topoisomerase I inhibitor-based chemotherapy
* Has received prior systemic anticancer therapy within 4 weeks before the first dose of study intervention
* Has received prior therapy with an anti-Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1), anti-Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1), anti-Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 2 (PD-L2) agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (TCR)
* Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention, or has radiation related toxicities, requiring corticosteroids
* Has received a live or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study intervention
* Has received a strong inducer/inhibitor of CYP3A4 that cannot be discontinued
* Has received an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to study intervention administration
* Has diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention
* Has known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years
* Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
* Has Severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to pembrolizumab, sacituzumab tirumotecan, patritumab deruxtecan, or other biologic therapy, chemotherapy (ie, oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, capecitabine), leucovorin, levoleucovorin, or any of their excipients
* Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years
* Has history of interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis irrespective of steroid use, or current ILD, or suspected ILD, or ILD that cannot be ruled out by imaging at Screening
* Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
* Has concurrent active hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] positive and/or detectable HBV DNA) and hepatitis C virus (defined as anti-hepatitis C virus \[HCV\] Ab positive and detectable HCV ribonucleic acid \[RNA\] infection or a known history of hepatitis B and/or C infection
* Has history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, laboratory abnormality, or other circumstance that might confound the results of the study or interfere with the participant's ability to cooperate with the requirements of the study
* Has gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, poor oral intake, or difficulty in taking oral medication
* Has poorly controlled diarrhea
* Has had a major surgery or significant traumatic injury within 4 weeks before the first dose of study intervention
* Has history of allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant
* Has not adequately recovered from major surgery or has ongoing surgical complications

Where it's running

  • University of Arizona Cancer Center-University of Arizona Cancer Center ( Site 6927)
    Tucson, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • UCLA Hematology/Oncology - Santa Monica ( Site 6905)
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • The Cancer and Hematology Centers ( Site 6912)
    Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central NY, P.C. ( Site 6925)
    East Syracuse, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center-UPMC ( Site 6904)
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ( Site 6920)
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Liga Norte Riograndense Contra o Câncer ( Site 6303)
    Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição ( Site 6301)
    Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • ICESP - INSTITUTO DO CÂNCER DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO ( Site 6300)
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • IBCC - Instituto Brasileiro de Controle do Câncer ( Site 6304)
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Clínica Puerto Montt ( Site 6409)
    Port Montt, Los Lagos Region, Chile
    Recruiting
  • FALP-UIDO ( Site 6400)
    Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
    Recruiting
  • Centro de Oncología de Precisión-Oncology ( Site 6404)
    Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
    Recruiting
  • Clínica UC San Carlos de Apoquindo ( Site 6405)
    Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
    Recruiting
  • Bradfordhill-Clinical Area ( Site 6401)
    Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
    Recruiting
  • Bradford Hill Norte ( Site 6407)
    Antofagasta, Chile
    Recruiting
  • Beijing Cancer hospital-Digestive Oncology ( Site 5500)
    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
    Recruiting
  • The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army ( Site 5501)
    Fuzhou, Fujian, China
    Recruiting
  • The First Affiliated hospital of Xiamen University ( Site 5503)
    Xiamen, Fujian, China
    Recruiting
  • Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 5504)
    Zhengzhou, Henan, China
    Recruiting
  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University ( Site 5514)
    Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
    Recruiting
  • Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center ( Site 5513)
    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
    Recruiting
  • Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine ( Site 5510)
    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
    Recruiting
  • CHU-BREST Cavale Blanche ( Site 5104)
    Brest, Finistere, France
    Recruiting
  • CIC. ( Site 5100)
    Lille, Nord, France
    Recruiting
  • Pitie Salpetriere University Hospital-Hepato-Gastro-Enterology ( Site 5102)
    Paris, Île-de-France Region, France
    Recruiting
  • NCT-Department of Medical Oncology ( Site 6809)
    Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
    Recruiting
  • HOPE Hamburg/Norddeutsches Studienzentrum fuer Innovative Onkologie ( Site 6807)
    Erdgeschoss, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitaetsklinikum Duesseldorf-Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology ( Site 6802)
    Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS - Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori"-Oncologia Medica ( Site 5207)
    Meldola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori-Struttura Complessa Oncologia Medica 1 ( Site 5200)
    Milan, Lombardy, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana ( Site 5206)
    Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Ospedale San Raffaele-Oncologia Medica ( Site 5202)
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Oslo universitetssykehus, Radiumhospitalet ( Site 6501)
    Oslo, Norway
    Recruiting
  • Asan Medical Center-Department of Oncology ( Site 5901)
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Samsung Medical Center-Division of Hematology/Oncology ( Site 5900)
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG) ( Site 6701)
    Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland
    Recruiting
  • Kantonsspital Graubünden-Medizin ( Site 6700)
    Chur, Kanton Graubünden, Switzerland
    Recruiting
  • China Medical University Hospital ( Site 6007)
    Taichung, Taiwan
    Recruiting
  • National Cheng Kung University Hospital ( Site 6001)
    Tainan, Taiwan
    Recruiting
  • National Taiwan University Hospital-Oncology ( Site 6000)
    Taipei, Taiwan
    Recruiting
  • Taipei Veterans General Hospital ( Site 6005)
    Taipei, Taiwan
    Recruiting
  • Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital ( Site 6102)
    Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, Thailand
    Recruiting
  • Chulalongkorn Hospital ( Site 6104)
    Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand
    Recruiting
  • Ramathibodi Hospital ( Site 6103)
    Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
    Recruiting
  • Songklanagarind hospital ( Site 6101)
    Hat Yai, Changwat Songkhla, Thailand
    Recruiting
  • Norton Hospital-Norton Cancer Institute - Downtown ( Site 6900)
    Louisville, Kentucky, United States
    Completed
  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center-CUIMC Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical ( Site 6907)
    New York, New York, United States
    Completed
  • Centro de Investigación del Maule ( Site 6408)
    Talca, Maule Region, Chile
    Completed
  • Xinjiang Medical University Cancer Hospital - Urumqi ( Site 5506)
    Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China
    Active not recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.