Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27093365›Full record

Trial reportThe New England journal of medicine2016

PD-1 Blockade with Pembrolizumab in Advanced Merkel-Cell Carcinoma.

Paul T Nghiem, Shailender Bhatia, Evan J Lipson, Ragini R Kudchadkar, Natalie J Miller, Lakshmanan Annamalai, Sneha Berry, Elliot K Chartash, Adil Daud, Steven P Fling and 21 more

3 registry-linked trialsAbstract readClinical Trial, Phase IIMulticenter Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in The New England journal of medicine, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 3 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 680 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
680citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT02267603 phase2completednot on this map

A Phase II Study of MK-3475 in Patients With Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)

TypeinterventionalSponsorNational Cancer Institute (NCI)Ran2014 to 2021Enrolled50ConditionsRecurrent Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Stage III Merkel Cell Carcinoma AJCC v7, Stage IIIA Merkel Cell Carcinoma AJCC v7, Stage IIIB Merkel Cell Carcinoma AJCC v7ArmsLaboratory Biomarker Analysis, Pembrolizumab
NCT03447678 phase2unknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2018, after this paper: background citation

Phase II Study to Test Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in First Line Treatment of Advanced NSCLC Patients With PD-L1 Low Tumors (<50%)_ PEOPLE TRIAL (Pembrolizumab in Pd-L1 Low Expressors).

TypeinterventionalSponsorFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, MilanoRan2018 to 2022Enrolled65ConditionsNon Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)ArmsPembrolizumab
NCT03673332 phase4terminatednot on this mapstarted 2019, after this paper: background citation

Elderly Cancer PatIents Treated for Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma or NSCLC, Safety and qualiTy of Life Under immunOtheraPies: a Phase IV Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorInstitut Paoli-CalmettesRan2019 to 2024Enrolled40ConditionsAdvanced or Metastatic Melanoma, Advanced or Metastatic NSCLCArmsimmune-checkpoint inhibitors therapies
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

680 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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620 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

31 authors.

Paul T NghiemFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Shailender BhatiaFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Evan J LipsonFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Ragini R KudchadkarFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Natalie J MillerFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Lakshmanan AnnamalaiFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Sneha BerryFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Elliot K ChartashFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Adil DaudFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Steven P FlingFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Philip A FriedlanderFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Harriet M KlugerFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Holbrook E KohrtFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Lisa LundgrenFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Kim MargolinFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Alan MitchellFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Thomas OlenckiFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Drew M PardollFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Sunil A ReddyFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Erica M ShanthaFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
William H SharfmanFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Elad SharonFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Lynn R ShemanskiFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Michi M ShinoharaFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Joel C SunshineFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Janis M TaubeFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
John A ThompsonFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Steven M TownsonFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Jennifer H YearleyFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Suzanne L TopalianFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Martin A CheeverFrom the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).

Funding

Translational Research Central ServicesP30CA006973 · NCI · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · PI WILLIAM George NELSON · 1985 to 2026
$208.6M
University of Washington Medical Scientist Training Program: MD/PhDT32GM007266 · NIGMS · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · PI HORWITZ, MARSHALL S. · 1985 to 2023
$30.4M
Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network Central Operations and Statistical CenterUM1CA154967 · NCI · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER · PI DAVIDSON, NANCY ELLEN · 2017 to 2022
$20.7M
Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network Central Operations and Statistical CenterU01CA154967 · NCI · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER · PI CHEEVER, MARTIN ALEXANDER · 2010 to 2017
$16.8M
PD-1/PD-L1 modulation in cancer therapyR01CA142779 · NCI · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · PI PARDOLL, DREW M., TAUBE, JANIS M · 2010 to 2025
$8.2M
Pathogenetic and prognostic studies for improved therapy of Merkel cell carcinomaK24CA139052 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · PI NGHIEM, PAUL · 2009 to 2018
$1.8M
Humoral and cellular immunity in polyomavirus-linked Merkel cell carcinomaR01CA162522 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · PI NGHIEM, PAUL · 2011 to 2015
$1.6M
NCI NIH HHS 1U01CA154967NCI NIH HHS K24 CA139052NCI NIH HHS K24-CA-139052NCI NIH HHS P30 CA006973NCI NIH HHS R01 CA142779NCI NIH HHS R01CA142779NCI NIH HHS R01 CA162522NCI NIH HHS R01-CA-162522NCI NIH HHS U01 CA154967NCI NIH HHS UM1 CA154967NIGMS NIH HHS T32 GM007266
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMerkel-cell carcinoma is an aggressive skin cancer that is linked to exposure to ultraviolet light and the Merkel-cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma often responds to chemotherapy, but responses are transient. Blocking the programmed death 1 (PD-1) immune inhibitory pathway is of interest, because these tumors often express PD-L1, and MCPyV-specific T cells express PD-1.

methodsIn this multicenter, phase 2, noncontrolled study, we assigned adults with advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma who had received no previous systemic therapy to receive pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) at a dose of 2 mg per kilogram of body weight every 3 weeks. The primary end point was the objective response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Efficacy was correlated with tumor viral status, as assessed by serologic and immunohistochemical testing.

resultsA total of 26 patients received at least one dose of pembrolizumab. The objective response rate among the 25 patients with at least one evaluation during treatment was 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35 to 76); 4 patients had a complete response, and 10 had a partial response. With a median follow-up of 33 weeks (range, 7 to 53), relapses occurred in 2 of the 14 patients who had had a response (14%). The response duration ranged from at least 2.2 months to at least 9.7 months. The rate of progression-free survival at 6 months was 67% (95% CI, 49 to 86). A total of 17 of the 26 patients (65%) had virus-positive tumors. The response rate was 62% among patients with MCPyV-positive tumors (10 of 16 patients) and 44% among those with virus-negative tumors (4 of 9 patients). Drug-related grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 15% of the patients.

conclusionsIn this study, first-line therapy with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma was associated with an objective response rate of 56%. Responses were observed in patients with virus-positive tumors and those with virus-negative tumors. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and Merck; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02267603.).

Indexed as

AdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntineoplastic AgentsCarcinoma, Merkel CellDisease-Free SurvivalDrug Administration ScheduleFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeoplasm StagingProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorRecurrenceSkin NeoplasmsAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntineoplastic AgentsPDCD1 protein, humanpembrolizumabProgrammed Cell Death 1 Receptor

Identifiers

PMID27093365
PMCPMC4927341

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.