This study will investigate the effects of a new combination of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and MK-4280 for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Side effects and response to treatment will be the main effects measured.
The details
Pembrolizumab and MK-4280 are both targeted therapies for blood cancers. This means that they specifically kill tumor cells. There are many therapies used to treat blood cancers. Many patients treated with anti-cancer medicines experience side-effects and toxicities which can limit their use and therefore their effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effects of new combinations of anti-cancer drugs for patients with blood cancers.
The main outcomes to be measured in this trial will be side effects and response to treatment.
Who are they looking for?
This trial is looking to recruit 134 patients with blood cancers, including HL. All participants must have at least one tumor that can be detectable by medical imaging and must be able to undergo biopsy for tumor analysis.
Participants cannot have been treated with anti-cancer medicines or radiation therapy in the 2 weeks before entering the trial. They also cannot have severe blood cell side effects from cancer therapy. Those treated for autoimmune diseases in the two years before the study and who had a live vaccine in the past 30 days cannot participate.
How will it work
Patients will be divided into three groups. Each group will receive 200mg pembrolizumab followed by different doses of MK-4280. This will happen once a week every three weeks. Participants will receive up to 35 rounds of treatment.
All participants will then receive 200mg pembrolizumab and the recommended dose of MK-4280 for HL. This will happen once a week every three weeks. Participants will receive up to 35 rounds of treatment. Treatment-limiting side effects and the response to treatment will be monitored up to 25 months.
