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CompletedNCT04889118Updated Dec 23, 2025Results posted

Safety and Efficacy Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Combined With Lenvatinib (MK-7902/E7080) as First-line Intervention in Adults With Advanced Melanoma (MK-7902-003/E7080-G000-312/LEAP-003)-China Extension Study

A Phase 3 interventional study of Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib in Malignant Melanoma, sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Completed at 11 sites in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-12-23.

Sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 9 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jul 2020, registered May 2021).
Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
131
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of the China Extension study is to assess the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) combined with lenvatinib (MK-7902/E7080) compared to pembrolizumab alone (with placebo for lenvatinib) as first-line treatment in Chinese participants with no prior systemic therapy for their advanced melanoma.

Read the detailed description

As of 03-Apr-2023, active participants, investigator, and sponsor personnel or delegate(s) involved in the treatment administration or clinical evaluation of the participants will be unblinded.

02

Conditions studied

  • Malignant Melanoma

Keywords

  • programmed cell death 1 (PD-1, PD1)
  • programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, PDL1)
  • programmed cell death-ligand 2 (PD-L2, PDL2)
03

In context

Melanoma

3,006 studies on the registry are indexed under Melanoma; 519 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 131 is above the median of 38 across 2,350 interventional studies indexed under Melanoma.

Browse Melanoma studies →

Lead sponsor

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC is the lead sponsor of 2,114 studies on the registry; 133 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.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Has histologically or cytologically confirmed melanoma.
  • Has unresectable Stage III or Stage IV melanoma, as per American Joint Committee on Cancer guidelines, not amenable to local therapy.
  • Has been untreated for advanced or metastatic disease except as follows: a. proto-oncogene B-Raf (BRAF) V600 mutation-positive melanoma may have received standard of care targeted therapy as first-line therapy for advanced or metastatic disease. Participants that do not have a BRAF V600 mutation but did receive BRAF or BRAF/MEKi therapy are eligible to participate in this study after discussion with the medical monitor.

    b. Prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy, with targeted therapy or immunotherapy (such as anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 [CTLA-4], anti-programmed cell death 1 [anti-PD-1] therapy or interferon) will only be permitted if relapse did not occur during active treatment or within 6 months of treatment discontinuation.

  • Have documentation of BRAF V600-activating mutation status or consent to BRAF V600 mutation testing during the Screening period (participants with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma as well as BRAF wild-type or unknown are eligible).
  • Has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 to 1.
  • Has the presence of ≥1 measurable lesion by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) per RECIST 1.1.
  • Provides a tumor biopsy. Participants must submit tumor sample during Screening for confirmation of adequacy of tumor tissue at a central pathology laboratory. Participants who do not submit a tumor tissue sample will not be randomized. The tumor biopsy may not be obtained from a lone target lesion. Confirmation of presence of tumor tissue is not required prior to randomization.
  • Has resolution of toxic effect(s) of the most recent prior therapy to Grade 1 or less (except alopecia). If participant received major surgery or radiation therapy of >30 Gray (Gy), they must have recovered from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention.
  • Male participants must agree to use contraception during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of study treatment and refrain from donating sperm during this period.
  • Female participants must not be pregnant, not breastfeeding, and ≥1 of the following conditions applies:

    1. Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR
    2. A WOCBP who agrees to use study-approved contraception during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of study treatment.
  • The participant (or legally acceptable representative) has provided documented informed consent for the study.
  • Has adequately controlled blood pressure (BP) with or without antihypertensive medications, defined as BP ≤150/90 mmHg at screening and no change in antihypertensive medications within 1 week before Cycle 1 Day 1.
  • Has adequate organ function.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days before the first dose of study treatment.
  • Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment.

Exceptions include early stage cancers (carcinoma in situ or Stage 1, non-ulcerated primary melanoma \<1 mm in depth with no nodal involvement) treated with curative intent, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ cervical cancer, or in situ breast cancer that has undergone potentially curative therapy.

  • Has known active central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
  • Has ocular melanoma.
  • Has known hypersensitivity to active substances or any of their excipients including previous clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction to treatment with another monoclonal antibody.
  • Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years (i.e., with use of disease-modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g. thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
  • Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
  • Has known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
  • Has known history of or is positive for hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection.
  • Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
  • Has a history of active tuberculosis (Bacillus tuberculosis).
  • Has presence of gastrointestinal condition including malabsorption, gastrointestinal anastomosis, or any other condition that might affect the absorption of lenvatinib.
  • Has had a major surgery within 4 weeks prior to Cycle 1 Day 1. Adequate wound healing after major surgery must be assessed clinically and have resolved completely prior to Cycle 1 Day 1.
  • Has a pre-existing Grade ≥3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula.
  • Has radiographic evidence of major blood vessel invasion/infiltration.
  • Has clinically significant hemoptysis or tumor bleeding within 2 weeks prior to the first dose of study treatment.
  • Has clinically significant cardiovascular disease within 12 months of the first dose of study treatment including New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability.
  • Has urine protein ≥1 g/24-hour. Note: Participants with ≥2+ (≥100 mg/dL) proteinuria on urine dipstick testing (or urinalysis) will undergo 24-hour urine collection for quantitative assessment of proteinuria.
  • Prolongation of QTcF interval to >480 ms. Note: If the QTcF is prolonged to >480 ms in the presence of a pacemaker, contact the Sponsor to determine eligibility.
  • Has left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below the institutional (or local laboratory) normal range, as determined by multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) or echocardiogram.
  • Has received prior therapy in the adjuvant setting. Note: Targeted therapy, anti-CTLA-4, or anti-PD-1 may be allowed.
  • Has received prior systemic treatment for unresectable or metastatic melanoma other than targeted therapy as noted in Inclusion Criteria above.
  • Has received prior therapy with a monoclonal antibody, chemotherapy, or an investigational agent or device within 4 weeks or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) before administration of study treatment or not recovered (≤Grade 1 or at Baseline) from adverse events due to previously administered agents.

Exception to this rule would be use of denosumab, which is not excluded. Note: Participants with alopecia and ≤Grade 2 neuropathy are an exception and may enroll.

  • Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of first dose of study treatment (Cycle 1 Day 1). Participants must have recovered from all radiation-related toxicities, not require corticosteroids, and not have had radiation pneumonitis.
  • Has received live vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study treatment.
  • Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study treatment.
  • Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
  • Has had an allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant.
  • Has a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorder that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the study.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
131 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Pembrolizumab+Lenvatinib

    Participants receive pembrolizumab 200 mg via intravenous (IV) infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for up to 35 administrations (up to approximately 2 years) PLUS lenvatinib 20 mg via oral capsule daily for up to at least 2 years.

    Biological: Pembrolizumab · Drug: Lenvatinib

  • Active comparator
    Pembrolizumab+Placebo

    Participants receive pembrolizumab 200 mg via IV infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for up to 35 administrations (up to approximately 2 years) PLUS placebo for lenvatinib via oral capsule daily for up to at least 2 years.

    Biological: Pembrolizumab · Drug: Placebo for lenvatinib

Interventions

  • BiologicalPembrolizumab

    IV infusion

    Also known as: MK-3475, KEYTRUDA®

  • DrugLenvatinib

    Oral capsule

    Also known as: MK-7902, E7080, LENVIMA®

  • DrugPlacebo for lenvatinib

    Oral capsule

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) Per Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)

    PFS is defined as the time from date of randomization to the date of the first documentation of progressive disease (PD) or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD is defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD. For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 30 months

  2. Overall Survival (OS)

    OS is defined as the time from date of randomization to date of death from any cause.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 30 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Objective Response Rate (ORR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1

    ORR is defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who have 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. For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 30 months

  2. Duration of Response (DOR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1

    For participants who demonstrated CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions), DOR is defined as the date of the first documented evidence of CR or PR until PD or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD is defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD. For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 30 months

  3. Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 50 months

  4. Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to Adverse Events (AEs)

    The number of participants who discontinue study treatment due to an AE will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 39 months

07

Results

Posted Jul 9, 2024

Participant flow

The China extension study enrolled 131 participants. 62 participants were randomized in the global portion for MK-7902-003 (NCT03820986) and 69 in the China extension portion

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestonePembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+Placebo
Started6467
Completed00
Not completed6467
Withdrew: Death4947
Withdrew: Sponsor decision1520

Outcome measures

PrimaryProgression-free Survival (PFS) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) Per Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)

PFS is defined as the time from date of randomization to the date of the first documentation of progressive disease (PD) or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD is defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD. For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ.

Time frame:
Up to approximately 30 months
Reported as:
Median · Months
Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) Per Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)
MonthsPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+Placebo
Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) Per Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)6.1 (4.1 to 8.1)2.0 (2.0 to 2.1)
Statistical analysis
  • Pembrolizumab+Lenvatinib vs Pembrolizumab+Placebo · Log Rank · p = 0.0013 (One-sided p-value based on log-rank test.) · Hazard ratio (hr): 0.55 · 95% CI 0.37 to 0.81HR=Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib vs. Pembrolizumab + Placebo
PrimaryOverall Survival (OS)

OS is defined as the time from date of randomization to date of death from any cause.

Time frame:
Up to approximately 30 months
Reported as:
Median · Months
Overall Survival (OS)
MonthsPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+Placebo
Overall Survival (OS)19.9 (11.9 to 26.8)17.0 (12.7 to 25.7)
Statistical analysis
  • Pembrolizumab+Lenvatinib vs Pembrolizumab+Placebo · Log Rank · p = 0.3728 (One-sided p-value based on log-rank test) · Hazard ratio (hr): 0.93 · 95% CI 0.58 to 1.48HR=Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib vs. Pembrolizumab + Placebo
SecondaryObjective Response Rate (ORR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1

ORR is defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who have 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. For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ.

Time frame:
Up to approximately 30 months
Reported as:
Number · Percentage of Participants
Objective Response Rate (ORR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1
Percentage of ParticipantsPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+Placebo
Objective Response Rate (ORR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.126.6 (16.3 to 39.1)16.4 (8.5 to 27.5)
SecondaryDuration of Response (DOR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1

For participants who demonstrated CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions), DOR is defined as the date of the first documented evidence of CR or PR until PD or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD is defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD. For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ.

Time frame:
Up to approximately 30 months
Reported as:
Median · Months
Duration of Response (DOR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1
MonthsPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+Placebo
Duration of Response (DOR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.113.7 (4.2 to NA)NA (6.5 to NA)
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment.

Time frame:
Up to approximately 50 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)
ParticipantsPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+Placebo
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)6467
SecondaryNumber of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to Adverse Events (AEs)

The number of participants who discontinue study treatment due to an AE will be presented.

Time frame:
Up to approximately 39 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to Adverse Events (AEs)
ParticipantsPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+Placebo
Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to Adverse Events (AEs)103

Adverse events

Collected over Up to approximately 51 months. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Pembrolizumab+Lenvatinib49/64 (76.6%)14/64 (21.9%)64/64 (100%)
Pembrolizumab + Placebo47/67 (70.1%)12/67 (17.9%)66/67 (98.5%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 27
Most frequent serious events
EventPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab + Placebo
Urinary tract infectionInfections and infestations2/640/67
Acute myocardial infarctionCardiac disorders1/640/67
Cardiac arrestCardiac disorders1/640/67
ColitisGastrointestinal disorders1/640/67
PancreatitisGastrointestinal disorders1/640/67
CholecystitisHepatobiliary disorders1/640/67
GastroenteritisInfections and infestations1/640/67
PneumoniaInfections and infestations1/640/67
Upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations1/640/67
Platelet count decreasedInvestigations1/640/67
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 73
Most frequent other events
EventPembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab + Placebo
HypothyroidismEndocrine disorders47/6415/67
ProteinuriaRenal and urinary disorders46/6431/67
HypertriglyceridaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders42/6425/67
HypertensionVascular disorders41/648/67
Weight decreasedInvestigations36/6415/67
HypercholesterolaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders33/6413/67
Aspartate aminotransferase increasedInvestigations30/6417/67
Blood lactate dehydrogenase increasedInvestigations28/6417/67
HyperglycaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders27/649/67
DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders26/641/67

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(Years)Pembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+PlaceboTotal
Mean56.4 ± 11.757.3 ± 13.556.9 ± 12.6
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Pembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+PlaceboTotal
Female263258
Male383573
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Pembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+PlaceboTotal
Hispanic or Latino000
Not Hispanic or Latino6166127
Unknown or Not Reported314
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Pembrolizumab+LenvatinibPembrolizumab+PlaceboTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native000
Asian6467131
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander000
Black or African American000
White000
More than one race000
Unknown or Not Reported000
08

Study locations

11 sites
  • Beijing Cancer Hospital (0601)
    Beijing, Beijing Municipality 100036, China
  • Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital ( Site 0612)
    Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
  • Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center (0602)
    Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China
  • Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 0610)
    Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
  • Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (0609)
    Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China
  • The First Hospital Of Jilin University (0603)
    Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
  • Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center ( Site 0607)
    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality 200032, China
  • Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital (0606)
    Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality 300060, China
  • Yunnan Cancer Hospital (0604)
    Kunming, Yunnan 430030, China
  • Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (0605)
    Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
  • Zhejiang Cancer Hospital ( Site 0608)
    Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
09

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Feb 16, 2024

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — http://engagezone.msd.com/doc/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 23, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04889118
Lead sponsor
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Collaborators
Eisai Inc.
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 17, 2021
Start date
Jul 14, 2020
Primary completion
Jan 18, 2023
Completion
Nov 1, 2024
Results posted
Jul 9, 2024
Last update
Dec 23, 2025

Study contacts

Medical Director
study director · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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