A Phase 2 interventional study of Pembrolizumab in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital. Completed at 2 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 12 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-30.
Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
This research study is evaluating an immune modulatory agent as a possible treatment for patients with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) with significant disease involving the larynx, trachea, and/or lungs. The investigators will be using Pembrolizumab as the treating agent.
This research study is a Phase II clinical trial. Phase II clinical trials test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational intervention to learn whether the intervention works in treating a specific disease. The FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has not approved Pembrolizumab for your specific disease but it has been approved for other uses.
Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. Pembrolizumab is being studied in several other clinical trials to see if it has an effect in helping the immune system to recognize and eliminate abnormal cells in the body. The antibody blocks a receptor expressed on immune cells, called T cells, and by blocking this receptor it has the potential to activate the T cells to kill abnormal cells, such as virally infected cells.
In this research study, the investigators are looking at whether Pembrolizumab can restore the natural ability of the immune system to recognize and eliminate Human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected cells from the body.
Massachusetts General Hospital is the lead sponsor of 2,537 studies on the registry; 447 are open to participants now.
Of its 214 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 161 (75%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in Table 1, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days of study registration System Laboratory Value
Hematological
Renal
Hepatic
Coagulation
Exclusion Criteria:
Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study registration or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent.
--Note: Subjects with ≤ Grade 2 neuropathy are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study.
Pembrolizumab 200 mg will be administered as a 30 minute IV infusion every 3 weeks. Treatment will be administered on Day 1 of each cycle after all procedures/assessments have been completed
Drug: Pembrolizumab
200 mg will be administered as a 30 minute IV infusion every 3 weeks on day 1 of each cycle after all procedures/assessments have been completed.
Also known as: Keytruda, MK-3475
Overall Response Rate Via Endoscopic Lesional Burden Score and/or RECIST
A Simon two-stage design was used to assess best objective response rate based on endoscopic lesional burden and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). For the endoscopic lesions burden score,T=the range of the score is 0 to 83. A lower score means decreased disease burden.
Time frame: Up to 2 years
Number of Participants With Adverse Events Through CTCAE
To determine the safety and tolerability of pembrolizumab in subjects with RRP.
Time frame: Up to 3 years after enrollment of the last the patient
Assess Duration of Response
To evaluate the response duration in subjects receiving pembrolizumab.
Time frame: Time from observed partial response to the development of progressive disease.
| Milestone | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| Started | 21 |
| Completed | 13 |
| Not completed | 8 |
| Withdrew: Adverse event | 3 |
| Withdrew: Lack of efficacy | 3 |
| Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject | 2 |
A Simon two-stage design was used to assess best objective response rate based on endoscopic lesional burden and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). For the endoscopic lesions burden score,T=the range of the score is 0 to 83. A lower score means decreased disease burden.
| Participants | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| Overall Response Rate Via Endoscopic Lesional Burden Score and/or RECIST | 21 |
To determine the safety and tolerability of pembrolizumab in subjects with RRP.
| Participants | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants With Adverse Events Through CTCAE | 15 |
To evaluate the response duration in subjects receiving pembrolizumab.
| months | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| Assess Duration of Response | 13.1 ± 6.2 |
Collected over Up to 3 years after study registration.. Non-serious events are listed at a 1% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembrolizumab | 3/21 (14.3%) | 1/21 (4.8%) | 15/21 (71.4%) |
| Event | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| HypophysitisEndocrine disorders | 1/21 |
| Event | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| FatigueGeneral disorders | 15/21 |
| Age, Categorical(Participants) | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| <=18 years | 0 |
| Between 18 and 65 years | 19 |
| >=65 years | 2 |
| Age, Continuous(years) | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| Median | 45 (19 to 68) |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| Female | 9 |
| Male | 12 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 2 |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 16 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 3 |
| Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 |
| Black or African American | 2 |
| White | 14 |
| More than one race | 2 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 3 |
| Region of Enrollment(participants) | Pembrolizumab |
|---|---|
| United States | 21 |
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This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
Massachusetts General Hospital