Safety and Efficacy Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Chinese Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma (MK-3475-151/KEYNOTE-151)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02821000
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: July 1, 2016
• Results First Posted: March 21, 2019
• Last Update Posted: December 8, 2022
• Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, tolerability, and objective response rate (ORR) of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Chinese participants with locally advanced or metastatic melanoma, with disease progression following first line chemotherapy or targeted therapy. ORR will be based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1).

With Amendment 6 (effective date 18-Mar-2022), once the study objectives have been met or the study has ended, participants will be discontinued from this study and may be enrolled in an extension study to continue protocol-defined assessments and treatment.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Melanoma	Biological: Pembrolizumab	Phase 1

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 103 participants
• Allocation: N/A
• Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: A Phase Ib Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Chinese Subjects With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma (Keynote-151)
• Actual Study Start Date: July 8, 2016
• Actual Primary Completion Date: December 27, 2017
• Actual Study Completion Date: November 30, 2022

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Pembrolizumab; Participants receive pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg intravenously on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for up to 35 administrations (up to approximately 2 years).	Biological: Pembrolizumab; Intravenous infusion; Other Name: MK-3475

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Number of Participants Who Experienced At Least One Adverse Event (AE) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a study treatment and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the study treatment or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in frequency and/or intensity) of a pre-existing condition that is temporally associated with the use of study treatment, is also an AE. The number of all participants who experienced at least one AE is presented. These safety results are based on a 27- Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
2. Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AE [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   The number of all participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE is presented. These results are based on a 27- Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
3. Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   ORR was defined as the percentage of the participants in the analysis population who had 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 assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). The ORR per RECIST 1.1 for participants is presented. Participants without response data were treated as non-responders. ORR was analyzed using an exact method based on binomial distribution (Clopper-Pearson method) and is reported as percentage of participants. These efficacy results are based on a 27- Dec-2017 data cutoff date.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Overall Survival (OS) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. OS was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and is reported in months. The OS for participants is presented. These efficacy results are based on a 27-Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
2. Progression-free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   PFS was defined as the time from the first day of study treatment to the first documented disease progression per RECIST 1.1 based on blinded independent central review (BICR) or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Using RECIST 1.1, progressive disease was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must have demonstrated an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered progression. PFS was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and is reported in months. The PFS per RECIST 1.1 for participants is presented. These efficacy results are based on a 27-Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
3. Duration of Response (DOR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of 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 until disease progression or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Using RECIST 1.1, progressive disease was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must have demonstrated an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. DOR assessments were based on blinded independent central review (BICR). DOR was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and is reported in months. DOR for participants who experienced a confirmed CR or PR is presented. These efficacy results are based on a 27-Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
4. Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (irRECIST) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   ORR was defined as the percentage of the participants in the analysis population who had a Complete Response (CR: disappearance of all lesions and no new lesions confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation) or a Partial Response (PR: at least a 50% decrease in tumor burden relative to baseline confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation) per irRECIST assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). The ORR per irRECIST for participants is presented. Participants without response data were treated as non-responders. ORR was analyzed using an exact method based on binomial distribution (Clopper-Pearson method) and is reported as percentage of participants. These efficacy results are based on a 27-Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
5. Progression-free Survival (PFS) Per Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (irRECIST) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   PFS was defined as the time from the first day of study treatment to the first documented disease progression per irRECIST based on blinded independent central review (BICR) or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Using irRECIST, progressive disease was defined as at least a 25% increase in tumor burden relative the minimum recorded tumor burden confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation. PFS was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and is reported in months. The PFS per irRECIST for participants is presented. These efficacy results are based on a 27-Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
6. Duration of Response (DOR) by Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version (irRECIST) [ Time Frame: Up to approximately 17 months (through data cutoff date of 27-December-2017) ]
   DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of Complete Response (CR: disappearance of all lesions and no new lesions confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation) or Partial Response (PR: at least a 50% decrease in tumor burden relative to baseline confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation) per irRECIST until disease progression or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Using irRECIST, progressive disease was defined as at least a 25% increase in tumor burden relative the minimum recorded tumor burden confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation. DOR assessments were based on blinded independent central review (BICR). DOR was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and is reported in months. DOR for participants who experienced a confirmed CR or PR is presented. These efficacy results are based on a 27-Dec-2017 data cutoff date.
7. Trough Serum Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab Prior to Cycle 2 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 21: Prior to the Cycle 2 (21-day cycle) Dose ]
   Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the lowest (trough) concentration of pembrolizumab prior to the next dose of pembrolizumab administered during Cycle 2 (21-day cycle). The mean Ctrough of pembrolizumab prior to Cycle 2 is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
8. Trough Serum Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab Prior to Cycle 4 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 63: Prior to the Cycle 4 (21-day cycle) Dose ]
   Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the lowest (trough) concentration of pembrolizumab prior to the next dose of pembrolizumab administered during Cycle 4 (21-day cycle). The mean Ctrough of pembrolizumab prior to Cycle 4 is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
9. Trough Serum Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab Prior to Cycle 6 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 105: Prior to the Cycle 6 (21-day cycle) Dose ]
   Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the lowest (trough) concentration of pembrolizumab prior to the next dose of pembrolizumab administered during Cycle 6 (21-day cycle). The mean Ctrough of pembrolizumab prior to Cycle 6 is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
10. Trough Serum Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab Prior to Cycle 8 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 147: Prior to the Cycle 8 (21-day cycle) Dose ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the lowest (trough) concentration of pembrolizumab prior to the next dose of pembrolizumab administered during Cycle 8 (21-day cycle). The mean Ctrough of pembrolizumab prior to Cycle 8 is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
11. Trough Serum Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab Prior to Cycle 12 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 231: Prior to the Cycle 12 (21-day cycle) Dose ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the lowest (trough) concentration of pembrolizumab prior to the next dose of pembrolizumab administered during Cycle 12 (21-day cycle). The mean Ctrough of pembrolizumab prior to Cycle 12 is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
12. Trough Serum Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab Prior to Cycle 16 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 315: Prior to the Cycle 16 (21-day cycle) Dose ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the lowest (trough) concentration of pembrolizumab prior to the next dose of pembrolizumab administered during Cycle 16 (21-day cycle). The mean Ctrough of pembrolizumab prior to Cycle 16 is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
13. Observed Maximum Serum Concentration (Cmax) of Pembrolizumab 30 Minutes After The End of Infusion During Cycle 1 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 0: 30 minutes after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle) ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the Cmax of pembrolizumab 30 minutes after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle). The Cmax of pembrolizumab is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
14. Observed Maximum Serum Concentration (Cmax) of Pembrolizumab 30 Minutes After The End of Infusion During Cycle 8 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 147: 30 minutes after the end of infusion during Cycle 8 (21-day cycle) ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the Cmax of pembrolizumab 30 minutes after the end of infusion during Cycle 8 (21-day cycle). The Cmax of pembrolizumab is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
15. Observed Serum Concentration of Pembrolizumab 1 Day After The End of Infusion During Cycle 1 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 2: 1 day after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle) ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the serum concentration of pembrolizumab 1 day after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle). The serum concentration of pembrolizumab is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
16. Observed Serum Concentration of Pembrolizumab 5 Days After The End of Infusion During Cycle 1 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 6: 5 days after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle) ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the serum concentration of pembrolizumab 5 days after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle). The serum concentration of pembrolizumab is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.
17. Observed Serum Concentration of Pembrolizumab 14 Days After The End of Infusion During Cycle 1 (21-day Cycle) [ Time Frame: Day 15: 14 days after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle) ]
    Blood samples were obtained for PK analysis of the serum concentration of pembrolizumab 14 days after the end of infusion during Cycle 1 (21-day cycle). The serum concentration of pembrolizumab is presented. These PK results are based on a 20-Jul-2017 data cutoff date.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Is of the Chinese descent, was born in China, and has a Chinese home address.
• Has histologically confirmed diagnosis of locally advanced (unresectable Stage III) or metastatic (Stage IV) melanoma not amenable to local therapy.
• Participant may not have a diagnosis of uveal or ocular melanoma.
• Overall proportion of participants with mucosa melanoma will be no more than 22%.
• Has failed the first line chemotherapy (excluding adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy) or targeted therapy for melanoma.
• Has at least one measurable lesion as defined by RECIST 1.1 on imaging studies (computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]).
• Has a performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Scale.
• Has an anticipated life expectancy of at least 3 months.
• Demonstrates adequate organ function.
• Has provided tissue for anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression evaluation from an archival tissue sample or newly obtained core or excisional biopsy of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated.
• Has documented BRAF mutation status or is willing to provide a tumor tissue for BRAF genotyping.
• Females may be enrolled in the study if they are:

• Of non-childbearing potential which is defined as:

  • Is ≥45 years of age and has not had menses for greater than 2 years.
  • Is amenorrheic for <2 years without a hysterectomy and oophorectomy and has a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) value in the postmenopausal range upon screening evaluation, and/or,
  • Is status post hysterectomy, oophorectomy or tubal ligation.
• Female and male participants of childbearing potential must be willing to use an adequate method of contraception for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study treatment. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the usual lifestyle and preferred contraception for the participant.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1), anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2 agents.
• Is currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigation device within 4 weeks of the first dose of study drug.
• Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or baseline) from AEs due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
• Has had chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, radiotherapy within 2 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug, or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or baseline) from AEs due to a previously administered agent.
• Has a known history of another (including unknown primary) malignancy within 5 years prior to first dose of study drug. (Exceptions include adequately treated Stage 1 or Stage 2 basal/squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, superficial bladder cancer, or cancer in situ which has undergone potentially curative therapy.)
• Is expected to require any other form of systemic or localized antineoplastic therapy while in study.
• Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
• Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years (i.e., with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs).
• Is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 1 week prior to the first dose of study drug.
• Has an active infection requiring intravenous systemic therapy.
• Has received a live vaccine within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug.
• Has a known hypersensitivity to the components of the study drug or another mAb.
• Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
• Is known to be Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive.
• Has known active Hepatitis B or C.
• Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the study.
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit (Visit 1) through 120 days after the last dose of study treatment.

Contacts and Locations

Sponsors and Collaborators

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Investigators

• Study Director: Medical Director; Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

  Study Documents (Full-Text)

Documents provided by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC:

Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan  [PDF] November 17, 2017

More Information

Additional Information:

Merck Oncology Clinical Trials Information 

Publications of Results:

Si L, Zhang X, Shu Y, Pan H, Wu D, Liu J, Lou F, Mao L, Wang X, Wen X, Gu Y, Zhu L, Lan S, Cai X, Diede SJ, Zhou Y, Ge J, Li J, Wu H, Guo J. A Phase Ib Study of Pembrolizumab as Second-Line Therapy for Chinese Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma (KEYNOTE-151). Transl Oncol. 2019 Jun;12(6):828-835. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.02.007. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

Si L, Zhang X, Shu Y, Pan H, Wu D, Liu J, Mao L, Wang X, Wen X, Gu Y, Zhu L, Lan S, Cai X, Diede SJ, Dai H, Niu C, Li J, Guo J. Pembrolizumab in Chinese patients with advanced melanoma: 3-year follow-up of the KEYNOTE-151 study. Front Immunol. 2022 Oct 11;13:882471. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.882471. eCollection 2022.

• Responsible Party: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02821000
• Other Study ID Numbers: 3475-151; MK-3475-151 ( Other Identifier: Merck Protocol Number ); KEYNOTE-151 ( Other Identifier: Merck )
• First Posted: July 1, 2016
• Results First Posted: March 21, 2019
• Last Update Posted: December 8, 2022
• Last Verified: December 2022

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: Yes
• Plan Description: http://engagezone.msd.com/doc/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf
• URL: http://engagezone.msd.com/ds_documentation.php

Keywords provided by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC:

PD1; PD-1; PDL1; PD-L1

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Melanoma; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Nevi and Melanomas; Skin Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Skin Diseases; Pembrolizumab; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Agents; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action