A Phase 1/2 interventional study of Pembrolizumab in Melanoma, Lymphoma and Solid Tumor, sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Recruiting at 16 sites in 10 countries. Open to participants aged 6 Months to 17 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-06.
Sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (part of Merck & Co., Inc) · Phase 1/2, Interventional, and Treatment
Researchers are looking for new ways to treat children with different types of melanoma (skin cancer), solid tumors, and lymphomas (blood cancers) that are any of these:
Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy, which is a treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer. Researchers want to learn if different doses of pembrolizumab can cause at least 1 of the types of cancer to get smaller or go away.
With Amendment 8, enrollment of participants with solid tumors and participants 6 months to under 12 years old with melanoma were closed.
With Amendment 13, enrollment was closed for participants with relapsed refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (rrCHL), microsatellite instabilty-high (MSI-H) solid tumors, tumor-mutational burden-high (TMB-H) solid tumors, and participants 12 years old to \<18 years old with advanced melanoma.
3,006 studies on the registry are indexed under Melanoma; 519 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 370 is above the median of 38 across 2,351 interventional studies indexed under Melanoma.
Browse Melanoma studies →Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC is the lead sponsor of 2,114 studies on the registry; 132 are open to participants now.
Of its 489 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 362 (74%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants aged 6 months to \<18 years with melanoma receive pembrolizumab, starting dose 2 mg/kg (maximum dose 200 mg), intravenously (IV) once every 3 weeks (Q3W). Enrollment of participants aged 6 months to \<12 years with melanoma was closed with Amendment 8. Enrollment of participants aged ≥12 years to ≤18 years with melanoma closed with Amendment 13.
Biological: Pembrolizumab
Participants aged 6 months to \<18 years with solid tumors and other lymphomas receive pembrolizumab, starting dose 2 mg/kg (maximum dose 200 mg), IV Q3W. Initial enrollment limited to programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive participants. PD-L1-negative participants may enroll if responses are observed. Enrollment of participants with solid tumors and other lymphomas was closed with Amendment 8.
Biological: Pembrolizumab
Participants aged 3 years to \<18 years with rrcHL receive pembrolizumab, starting dose 2 mg/kg (maximum dose 200 mg), IV Q3W. Enrollment of participants with rrcHL was closed with Amendment 13.
Biological: Pembrolizumab
Participants aged 6 months to \<18 years with MSI-H solid tumors receive pembrolizumab, starting dose 2 mg/kg (maximum dose 200 mg), IV Q3W. Enrollment of participants with MSI-H solid tumors was closed with Amendment 13.
Biological: Pembrolizumab
Participants aged 6 months to \<18 years with TMB-H ≥10 mutation/Mb solid tumors receive pembrolizumab, starting dose 2 mg/kg (maximum dose 200 mg), IV Q3W. Enrollment of participants with TMB-H solid tumors was closed with Amendment 13.
Biological: Pembrolizumab
Participants aged 12 years to \<18 years with resected high-risk Stage IIB, IIC, III, or IV melanoma receive pembrolizumab, starting dose 2 mg/kg (maximum dose 200 mg), intravenously (IV) once every 3 weeks (Q3W).
Biological: Pembrolizumab
IV infusion
Also known as: MK-3475
Objective Response Rate (ORR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and Other Lymphoma Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) per Site Assessment (Each Disease Indication Evaluated Separately)
The ORR is assessed by RECIST 1.1 per site assessment. The ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who have a response (complete response, CR or partial response, PR) prior to disease progression. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.
Time frame: Up to 2 years
ORR by RECIST 1.1 per Site Assessment for MSI-H or TMBH Solid Tumors (Each Cohort Evaluated Separately)
The ORR is assessed by RECIST 1.1 per site assessment. The ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who have a response (complete response, CR or partial response, PR) prior to disease progression. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.
Time frame: Up to 2 years
ORR by International Working Group (IWG) Response Criteria (Cheson, 2007) per Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) Assessment for rrcHL Cohort
The ORR is assessed by blinded independent central review utilizing the International Working Group \[IWG\] response assessment criteria per Cheson 2007 by BICR. The ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who have a response (complete response, CR or partial response, PR) prior to disease progression. CR is the disappearance of all evidence of disease and PR is the regression of measurable disease and no new sites. Participants with missing data are considered non-responders.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Number of Participants with Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLTs)
Number of participants experiencing toxicities that are possibly, probably, or definitely related to study therapy; that meet pre-defined severity criteria; and result in a change in the given dose.
Time frame: Cycle 1 (Up to 21 days)
Number of Participants Experiencing Adverse Events (AEs)
An adverse event (AE) is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it is considered related to the medical treatment or procedure, that occurs during the course of the study.
Time frame: Up to 27 months
Number of Participants Discontinuing Study Drug Due to AEs
An adverse event (AE) is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it is considered related to the medical treatment or procedure, that occurs during the course of the study.
Time frame: Up to 2 years
ORR by IWG Response Criteria (Cheson, 2007) per Site Assessment (rrcHL Cohort)
The ORR is assessed by blinded independent central review utilizing the International Working Group \[IWG\] response assessment criteria per Cheson 2007 by site assessment. The ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who had a response (complete response, CR or partial response, PR) prior to disease progression. CR is the disappearance of all evidence of disease and PR is the regression of measurable disease and no new sites. Participants with missing data are considered non-responders.
Time frame: Up to 2 years
DOR per RECIST 1.1 by Site Assessment (Advanced Melanoma, Solid Tumors and Other Lymphoma, Each Disease Indication Is Evaluated Separately)
The duration of overall response is assessed by RECIST 1.1 by site evaluation. The duration of overall response is measured from the time measurement criteria are first met for CR/PR (whichever is first recorded) until the first date that recurrent or progressive disease is objectively documented (taking as reference for progressive disease the smallest measurements recorded on study).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
DOR per RECIST 1.1 by Site Assessment (MSI-H and TMB-H, Each Cohort Is Evaluated Separately)
The duration of overall response is assessed by RECIST 1.1 by site evaluation. The duration of overall response is measured from the time measurement criteria are first met for CR/PR (whichever is first recorded) until the first date that recurrent or progressive disease is objectively documented (taking as reference for progressive disease the smallest measurements recorded on study).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
DOR per IWG 2007 (Cheson, 2007) Response by BICR Assessment (rrcHL Cohort)
The duration of overall response is measured from the time measurement criteria are first met for CR/PR (whichever is first recorded) until the first date that recurrent or progressive disease is objectively documented (taking as reference for progressive disease the smallest measurements recorded on study).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
DOR per IWG 2007 (Cheson, 2007) Response by Site Assessment (rrcHL Cohort)
The duration of overall response is measured from the time measurement criteria are first met for CR/PR (whichever is first recorded) until the first date that recurrent or progressive disease is objectively documented (taking as reference for progressive disease the smallest measurements recorded on study).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
DOR per Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (irRECIST) by Site Assessment (Solid Tumors and Other Lymphoma, Each Disease Indication Evaluated Separately)
The duration of overall response is measured from the time measurement criteria are first met for CR/PR (whichever is first recorded) until the first date that recurrent or progressive disease is objectively documented (taking as reference for progressive disease the smallest measurements recorded on study).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
DOR per irRECIST by Site Assessment (MSI-H and TMB-H, Each Cohort Is Evaluated Separately)
The duration of overall response is measured from the time measurement criteria are first met for CR/PR (whichever is first recorded) until the first date that recurrent or progressive disease is objectively documented (taking as reference for progressive disease the smallest measurements recorded on study).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Progression-free Survival (PFS) Using RECIST 1.1 Criteria by Site Assessment (Solid Tumors and Other Lymphoma, Each Disease Indication Evaluated Separately)
Progression free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. PFS is assessed by using RECIST 1.1 criteria by site assessment. Median PFS will be calculated from the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
PFS using RECIST 1.1 Criteria by Site Assessment (MSI-H and TMB-H, Each Cohort Evaluated Separately)
Progression free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. PFS is assessed by using RECIST 1.1 criteria by site assessment. Median PFS will be calculated from the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
PFS using IWG 2007 Criteria (Chesson 2007) by BICR Assessment (rrcHL Cohort)
Progression free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. PFS is assessed by using IWG 2007 criteria (Chesson, 2007) by BICR assessment (rrcHL Cohort). Median PFS will be calculated from the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
PFS using IWG 2007 Criteria (Chesson, 2007) by Site Assessment (rrcHL Cohort)
Progression free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. PFS is assessed by using IWG 2007 criteria (Chesson, 2007) by site assessment. Median PFS will be calculated from the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
PFS Using irRECIST Criteria by Site Assessment
Progression free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. PFS is assessed by using irRECIST criteria by site assessment. Median PFS will be calculated from the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Disease Control Rate by RECIST 1.1 Using Site Assessment (Solid Tumors and Other Lymphoma, Each Disease Indication Evaluated Separately)
Disease Control Rate is defined as the percentage of participants with a response of CR, PR, or SD. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Stable Disease is neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for progressive disease (PD), taking as reference the smallest sum diameters while on study. Progressive Disease is least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. (Note: the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progression).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Disease Control Rate by RECIST 1.1 Using Site Assessment (MSI-H and TMB-H, Each Cohort Evaluated Separately)
Disease Control Rate is defined as the percentage of participants with a response of CR, PR, or SD. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Stable Disease is neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for progressive disease (PD), taking as reference the smallest sum diameters while on study. Progressive Disease is least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. (Note: the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progression).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Disease Control Rate by irRECIST Using Site Assessment (Solid Tumors and Other Lymphomas, Each Disease Indication Evaluated Separately)
Disease Control Rate is defined as the percentage of participants with a response of CR, PR, or SD. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Stable Disease is neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for progressive disease (PD), taking as reference the smallest sum diameters while on study. Progressive Disease is least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. (Note: the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progression).
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Overall Survival
Overall survival is defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the final analysis will be censored at the date of the last follow-up. Median overall survival will be calculated from the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Objective irRECIST Response Rate by Site Assessment (Each Disease Indication Evaluated Separately)
The ORR is assessed by irRECIST per site assessment.
Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years
Area Under the Concentration Curve (AUC) for Pembrolizumab
The AUC of pembrolizumab when administered as monotherapy will be determined.
Time frame: Predose Cycles 1, 2, 4, 8 and every 4 cycles thereafter, and within 30 minutes post infusion at Cycles 1 and 8. Additional single pharmacokinetic samples obtained in Cycle 1 between 72 to 168 hours post-dose, and Cycle 1 at 336 hours post-dose
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