Phase 3 Rare Disease Trial, Recruiting
Who may be able to join
AI generated eligibility summary. Written by an AI model from the official source data and checked on a sample basis. It can contain mistakes, so confirm anything important against the original source. How we use AI
Who might be able to join this trial:
- You are 18 years of age or older
- Your doctors expect you to live for at least 6 months or more
- You are generally able to carry out daily activities with little to no limitation (confirm with trial site regarding the specific fitness level required)
- You have been diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma (a rare type of skin cancer) that has either come back or cannot be removed by surgery, and is at an advanced stage (Stage III or IV)
- You have at least one tumor that can be injected directly and is at least 3 mm in size
- Your cancer can be measured on scans using standard medical guidelines
- You have never previously been treated with a type of cancer drug called a checkpoint inhibitor (such as pembrolizumab, avelumab, ipilimumab, or nivolumab)
- You are able to provide a tissue sample from a previous biopsy or surgery, or are willing to have a new biopsy taken if no previous sample is available
- Your blood, liver, and kidney test results are within acceptable ranges as defined by the study
Who may not be able to join:
- You have a serious uncontrolled illness, such as an active infection, uncontrolled heart failure, unstable chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or a mental health or personal situation that would make it hard to follow the study requirements
- You have active cancer that has spread to the brain, unless it was previously treated, has been stable on scans for at least 4 weeks, has not spread further, and you are not currently taking steroids for it
- Your Merkel cell carcinoma has come back but can still be removed by surgery
- You have previously received chemotherapy given through the whole body (systemic chemotherapy)
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed during the course of the study
- You have an active autoimmune disease (where the immune system attacks the body), though some milder conditions such as type 1 diabetes, an underactive thyroid managed with hormone replacement, or skin conditions like vitiligo or psoriasis not needing systemic treatment may still be allowed (confirm with trial site)
- You are currently taking steroid tablets or other medicines that suppress the immune system at certain doses within 14 days of joining the study, though steroid inhalers or creams may be allowed (confirm with trial site)
Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.
Based on publicly available eligibility criteria from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before acting. This is not medical advice.
Contact this trial
Principal Investigator: Andrew S Brohl, MD, Collaborator
Phone: 8138756600
Contact details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before attending.
GP referral letter
Print a one-page summary to share with your doctor.
Trial details
Where this trial is recruiting
Primary endpoints
Objective response rate (ORR)
Can't join this trial?
Data last synced from ClinicalTrials.gov: 27 July 2026. Trial status can change. Always verify current status directly with the trial site before making any decision.