MRG003 plus HX008 for EGFR-positive advanced or metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma

MRG003 Plus HX008 as First-Line Treatment for EGFR-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective, Single-Arm, Phase I Clinical Trial

This trial tests whether combining the EGFR-targeted antibody-drug conjugate MRG003 with the PD-1 inhibitor HX008 works as a first-line treatment for men with EGFR-positive advanced or metastatic penile cancer.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 10 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: Male
• Sponsor: West China Hospital (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, Brentuximab, Nivolumab, Enfortumab, Pembrolizumab, methotrexate
• Locations: 1 site (Chengdu, Sichuan)
• Trial ID: NCT07054307 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 1 interventional trial enrolls adult men with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma whose tumors express EGFR. Participants who have not received prior systemic therapy for advanced disease receive MRG003 (an EGFR-targeted antibody-drug conjugate) together with the PD-1 inhibitor HX008 and are closely monitored for safety, tolerability, and tumor response. Key eligibility requirements include measurable disease by RECIST 1.1, ECOG performance status 0–1, and adequate organ and cardiac function. The study is conducted at West China Hospital with scheduled imaging and laboratory assessments to track adverse events and treatment effect.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Men aged 18 or older with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR IHC-positive (1+ to 3+), no prior systemic therapy for advanced disease, measurable lesions, ECOG 0–1, and adequate organ and cardiac function are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients without EGFR expression, those who have already received systemic therapy for advanced disease, or those with poor performance status or significant organ or cardiac dysfunction are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this regimen.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this combination could provide a more effective and lower-toxicity first-line option than standard chemotherapy for EGFR-positive advanced penile cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Combinations of targeted agents, antibody-drug conjugates, and PD-1 inhibitors have shown promise in other squamous cell cancers, but clinical evidence in penile squamous cell carcinoma is very limited, making this approach relatively novel for PSCC.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically and/or cytologically confirmed unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma.
2. EGFR expression (defined as IHC 1+, 2+, or 3+) confirmed by the institutional pathology department using primary or metastatic tumor tissue samples.
3. No prior systemic therapy for advanced disease.
4. Male, aged ≥18 years.
5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 with a life expectancy ≥3 months.
6. At least one measurable lesion per RECIST 1.1 criteria.
7. Adequate organ function (based on institutional laboratory reference ranges):

   Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%.

   Hematology:

   Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥90 g/L, White blood cell count (WBC) ≥3.0×10⁹/L, Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5×10⁹/L, Platelet count (PLT) ≥80×10⁹/L.

   Biochemistry:

   Total bilirubin (TBIL) ≤1.5× upper limit of normal (ULN), AST/ALT ≤2.5×ULN (≤5×ULN if liver metastases present), Serum creatinine (Cr) ≤1.5×ULN or creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥50 mL/min.
8. Willing to provide written informed consent, with full understanding of the study requirements and commitment to comply with trial procedures and follow-up visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who have received prior systemic therapy before enrollment.
2. History of other malignancies, except for cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, or other malignancies that have been disease-free for at least 5 years.
3. Presence of central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Patients with previously treated brain metastases may be eligible if they have been stable for at least 6 months, show no disease progression on imaging within 4 weeks before treatment, have no neurological symptoms, demonstrate no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and have discontinued radiation, surgery, or steroid therapy for brain metastases at least 28 days prior to the first dose. Carcinomatous meningitis is excluded regardless of clinical stability.
4. Severe or uncontrolled concurrent diseases, including uncontrolled infections, active tuberculosis, uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (such as NYHA Class III or IV heart failure, second-degree or higher heart block, myocardial infarction within the past 12 months, unstable arrhythmia or angina, or cerebral infarction within the past 6 months), pulmonary diseases (such as interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or a history of symptomatic bronchospasm), deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism within the past 12 months, or decompensated cirrhosis.
5. Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment (e.g., disease-modifying drugs, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants) within the past 2 years. Replacement therapies (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency) are permitted.
6. Positive serological virology test results, including HIV positivity, HBsAg positivity with detectable HBV DNA (≥2000 copies/mL), or HCV antibody positivity (eligible only if HCV RNA PCR-negative).
7. Major surgery within 4 weeks before enrollment, or prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or solid organ transplantation.
8. Administration of or plans to receive anti-cancer vaccines within 4 weeks before enrollment or during the study.
9. Clinically significant pleural effusion or ascites, as determined by the investigator to be unsuitable for enrollment.
10. Any other condition considered by the investigator to make the patient ineligible for the clinical study.

Where this trial is running

Chengdu, Sichuan

• West China Hospital of Sichuan University — Chengdu, Sichuan, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Hong-Shuai Li, Dr

Conditions Penile Cancer; penile cancer; ADC; PD-1