NCT07222488 · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
A Clinical Study of MK-3120 in People With Bladder Cancer (MK-3120-003)
What this study is about
Researchers are looking for new ways to treat high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HR NMIBC). NMIBC is cancer in the tissue that lines the inside of the bladder and has not spread to the bladder muscle or outside of the bladder. In standard treatment for HR NMIBC, doctors first remove the tumor with a procedure called transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT).
View original scientific description
Researchers are looking for new ways to treat high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HR NMIBC). NMIBC is cancer in the tissue that lines the inside of the bladder and has not spread to the bladder muscle or outside of the bladder. In standard treatment for HR NMIBC, doctors first remove the tumor with a procedure called transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT). Researchers want to learn if using MK-3120, the study medicine, can treat HR NMIBC after TURBT. The goal of this study is to learn about the safety of MK-3120 and if people tolerate it.
Interventions
BIOLOGICAL
MK-3120
Intravesical administration at one of three doses per protocol
Primary outcome measures
Number of Participants Who Experience a Dose-limiting Toxicity (DLT)
Time frame: Up to approximately 5 weeks
Any of the following toxicities will be considered a DLT: Hematuria leading to clot or obstruction; Grade (Gr) 4 thrombocytopenia; Gr 3 thrombocytopenia associated with clinically significant bleeding; Febrile neutropenia for more than 1 hour; Other Gr ≥3 hematologic toxicity lasting \>7 days; Nonhematologic AE ≥Gr 3 (with exceptions); ≥Gr 2 pneumonitis/ interstitial lung disease; Any ≥Gr 3 nonhematologic laboratory value if clinically significant medical intervention is required, leads to hospitalization, persists for \>7 days, results in a drug induced liver injury, or elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) lab value \>8 ×upper limit of normal (ULN) regardless of duration and AST or ALT elevation 5 × to 8 × ULN that persists for greater than 2 weeks; Recurrent Gr 2 AE resulting in \>2 weeks delay in receiving the next treatment dose; Any intervention-related toxicity that results in study intervention discontinuation; Gr 5 toxicity or AE.
Number of Participants Who Experience One or More Adverse Events (AEs)
Time frame: Up to approximately 24 months
An AE is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, disease, or worsening of preexisting condition temporally associated with study treatment and irrespective of causality to study treatment.
Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to AEs
Time frame: Up to approximately 12 months
An AE is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, disease, or worsening of preexisting condition temporally associated with study treatment and irrespective of causality to study treatment.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Has histologically confirmed carcinoma in situ (CIS) +/- papillary high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), confirmed locally.
- Is an individual whose most recent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) was performed within 12 weeks before allocation and showed high-risk NMIBC histology. For individuals with papillary tumors (Ta and T1), a complete TURBT must have been performed, as characterized by attainment of a visually complete resection of all papillary tumors (Ta and T1).
- Is either: a) Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-naïve, defined as either having never received BCG or having received BCG more than 2 years before CIS +/- papillary high-risk NMIBC recurrence. Recurrence must be at least 24 months from the last exposure to BCG with evidence of complete response during the 2-year period post-BCG OR; b) BCG-exposed and received adequate BCG therapy and had recurrence of CIS +/- papillary high-risk NMIBC \>12 months but ≤24 months after the last BCG dose.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected participants must have well-controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy.
- Participants who are hepatitis B surface antigen 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.
- Participants with history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are eligible if HCV viral load is undetectable at screening.
Exclusion criteria
- Has history of or current locally advanced (ie, T2, T3, T4) or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC).
- Has concurrent extravesical (ie, urethra, ureter, renal pelvis) non-muscle invasive UC or history of extravesical non-muscle invasive UC that recurred within the last 2 years.
- Has active total bladder incontinence, active urinary tract infection, neurogenic bladder, or urethral stricture.
- Has a condition that would prohibit normal voiding (or holding bladder voiding for 1 to 2 hours).
- Has uncontrolled, significant cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease, including New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled symptomatic arrhythmia, prolongation of QTcF interval to \>470 ms, and/or other serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases within the 6 months preceding study intervention.
- Has history of documented severe dry eye syndrome, severe Meibomian gland disease and/or blepharitis, or severe corneal disease that prevents/delays corneal healing.
- HIV-infected participants with a history of Kaposi's sarcoma and/or Multicentric Castleman's Disease.
- Has known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years.
- Has known active central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
- Has active infection requiring systemic therapy.
- Has a history of (noninfectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease (ILD) that required steroids, or has current pneumonitis/ILD.
- Has not adequately recovered from major surgery or has ongoing surgical complications.
Where
- Bakersfield, California
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 17, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations