NCT06469944 · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Substudy 06C: A Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (MK-2870) With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Chemotherapy in Participants With First-Line Locally Advanced Unresectable/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (MK-3475-06C/KEYMAKER-U06)
What this study is about
This is a phase 1/2, conducted at multiple hospitals, where both patients and doctors know the treatment given umbrella platform study that will evaluate the safety and how well patients handle the treatment of sacituzumab tirumotecan with pembrolizumab and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy for the first-line (1L) treatment of participants with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric, gastroesophageal junction, or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This substudy will have two phases: a safety lead-in phase and an effectiveness phase.
View original scientific description
This is a phase 1/2, multicenter, open-label umbrella platform study that will evaluate the safety and tolerability of sacituzumab tirumotecan with pembrolizumab and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy for the first-line (1L) treatment of participants with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric, gastroesophageal junction, or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This substudy will have two phases: a safety lead-in phase and an efficacy phase.
Interventions
BIOLOGICAL
Pembrolizumab
Administered via intravenous (IV) infusion.
BIOLOGICAL
Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (sac-TMT)
Administered via IV infusion.
DRUG
Capecitabine
Administered via oral tablet.
DRUG
Leucovorin
Administered via IV infusion.
DRUG
Levoleucovorin
Administered via IV infusion.
DRUG
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
Administered via IV infusion
DRUG
Oxaliplatin
Administered via IV infusion
BIOLOGICAL
Patritumab Deruxtecan
Administered via IV infusion
Primary outcome measures
Safety Lead-in Phase: Number of Participants Who Experience One or More Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLTs)
Time frame: Up to approximately 28 days
DLTs are defined as any treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) not attributable to disease or disease-related processes that occur during the DLT evaluation period and are a Grade 3 or higher according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) Version 5.0. The percentage of participants who experience at least one DLT will be reported.
Safety Lead-in Phase: Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
Time frame: Up to approximately 28 days
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study intervention.
Safety Lead-in Phase: Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Intervention Due to an AE
Time frame: Up to approximately 28 days
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study intervention.
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 in the analysis population who have a Complete Response (CR: Disappearance of all target lesions) or a Partial Response (PR: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. The percentage of participants who experience CR or PR as assessed by BICR will be presented.
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
- 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
- Tucson, Arizona
- Los Angeles, California
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- East Syracuse, New York
- New York, New York
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Houston, Texas
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 Oct 7, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations