A Phase 3 interventional study of Belzutifan and Zanzalintinib in Carcinoma, Renal Cell, sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Recruiting at 111 sites in 19 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-10.
Sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (part of Merck & Co., Inc) · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment
Researchers are looking for new ways to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
A standard (usual) treatment for certain people with RCC is belzutifan (a study medicine), which is a targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is a treatment that works to control how specific types of cancer cells grow and spread. Researchers want to learn if adding another targeted therapy called zanzalintinib (another study medicine) can treat more people with advanced RCC than belzutifan alone.
The goal of this study is to learn if people who receive belzutifan and zanzalintinib live longer overall and without the cancer getting worse compared to people who receive belzutifan and placebo.
2,037 studies on the registry are indexed under Carcinoma, Renal Cell; 395 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 758 is above the median of 43 across 1,564 interventional studies indexed under Carcinoma, Renal Cell.
Browse Carcinoma, Renal Cell studies →Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC is the lead sponsor of 2,166 studies on the registry; 132 are open to participants now.
Of its 501 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 370 (74%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:
Exclusion Criteria:
For exclusion criteria: The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
The standard rules for measuring tumours on CT or MRI scans, to tell whether a cancer is shrinking, stable or growing during treatment.
“Measurable disease per RECIST 1.1” usually means at least one tumour 10 mm or more at its longest on a CT scan, or a lymph node 15 mm or more across its short axis.
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Measurable disease
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
RECIST
The standard rules for measuring tumours on CT or MRI scans, to tell whether a cancer is shrinking, stable or growing during treatment.
“Measurable disease per RECIST 1.1” usually means at least one tumour 10 mm or more at its longest on a CT scan, or a lymph node 15 mm or more across its short axis.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Clinically significant
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction)
The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis C tests
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive 120 mg belzutifan orally and 60 mg zanzalintinib once daily for approximately 24 months.
Drug: Belzutifan · Drug: Zanzalintinib
Participants will receive 120 mg belzutifan orally and zanzalintinib-matching placebo once daily for approximately 24 months.
Drug: Belzutifan · Drug: Placebo
Tablet for oral administration.
Also known as: MK-6482, PT2977, WELIREG
Tablet for oral administration.
Also known as: XL092
Zanzalintinib-matching placebo tablet for oral administration.
Progression-free Survival (PFS)
PFS is defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) based on blinded independent central review (BICR) or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first.
Time frame: Up to approximately 30 months
Overall Survival (OS)
OS is defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause.
Time frame: Up to approximately 50 months
Objective Response Rate (ORR)
ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who have achieved confirmed 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 as assessed by BICR.
Time frame: Up to approximately 30 months
Duration of Response (DOR)
DOR is defined as the interval from the first documented evidence of a CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or a PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1 until Progressive Disease (PD) or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first, in participants demonstrating a best confirmed response of CR or PR. Per RECIST 1.1, PD is defined as at least a 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 at least 5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD.
Time frame: Up to approximately 30 months
Number of Participants Who Experience One or More Adverse Events (AEs)
An AE is 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 medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product, is also an AE. The number of participants who experience an AE will be reported.
Time frame: Up to approximately 25 months
Number of Participants who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to an AE
An AE is 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 medicinal product or protocol-specified procedure. Any worsening of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the use of the Sponsor's product, is also an AE. The number of participants who discontinue study treatment due to an AE will be reported.
Time frame: Up to approximately 24 months
Change from Baseline in European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) Global Health Status (Item 29) and Quality of Life (Item 30) Combined Score
EORTC QLQ-C30 is a questionnaire to assess the overall quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients. Participant responses to questions regarding Global Health Status (GHS; "How would you rate your overall health during the past week?") and QoL ("How would you rate your overall quality of life during the past week?") are scored on a 7-point scale (1= Very poor to 7=Excellent). The combined score of GHS (Item 29) and QoL (Item 30) is computed by averaging the raw scores of the 2 items and then applying a linear transformation to standardize the average score, so that the combined scores range from 0-100. A higher score indicates a better outcome. The change from baseline in GHS and QoL combined score will be presented.
Time frame: Baseline and up to approximately 25 months
Change from Baseline in the EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning (Items 1-5) Combined Score
EORTC QLQ-C30 is a questionnaire to assess the overall QoL of cancer patients. Participant responses to 5 questions about their physical functioning (Items 1 to 5) are scored on a 4-point scale (1=Not at All to 4=Very Much). The combined score of items 1 to 5 was computed by averaging the raw scores of the 5 items and then applying a linear transformation to standardize the average score, so that the combined scores range from 0-100. A higher score indicates a better outcome. The change from baseline in EORTC QLQ-C30 physical functioning (Items 1-5) combined score will be presented.
Time frame: Baseline and up to approximately 25 months
Change from Baseline in the EORTC QLQ-C30 Role Functioning (Items 6 and 7) Combined Score
The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a cancer specific health-related quality of life questionnaire. The role functioning score is based on participant responses to questions scored on a 4-point scale (1=Not at All to 4=Very Much). The combined score was computed by averaging the raw scores of Items 6 and 7 and then applying a linear transformation to standardize the average score, so that the combined scores range from 0-100. Higher scores indicate better role functioning. The change from baseline in EORTC QLQ-C30 Role Functioning (Items 6 and 7) combined score will be reported.
Time frame: Baseline and up to approximately 25 months
Change From Baseline in Disease Symptoms Using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Kidney Symptom Index-Disease-related Symptoms (FKSI-DRS) (Items 1-9) Score
The FKSI-DRS index consists of a 9-item questionnaire that assesses the extent of participant symptoms from kidney cancer. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale (0=not at all to 4=very much). FKSI-DRS total score ranged from 0 (most severe symptoms) to 36 (no symptoms) with a higher score indicating a better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and up to approximately 25 months
Time to Deterioration (TTD) in EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health Status (Item 29) and Quality of Life (Item 30) Combined Score
EORTC QLQ-C30 is a questionnaire to assess QoL of cancer patients. Participant responses to questions on GHS ("How would you rate your overall health during the past week?") and QoL ("How would you rate your overall QoL during the past week?") were scored on a 7-point scale (1= Very poor to 7=Excellent). The combined score of GHS (Item 29) and QoL (Item 30) was computed by averaging raw scores of the 2 items and applying a linear transformation to standardize the average score, so that the combined scores range from 0-100. A higher score indicates a better outcome. TTD was defined as the time from baseline to first onset of ≥10-point negative change (decrease) from baseline in GHS-QoL combined score. A longer TTD indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to approximately 25 months
TTD in EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning (Items 1-5) Score
EORTC QLQ-C30 is a questionnaire to assess the overall QoL of cancer patients. Participant responses to 5 questions about their physical functioning (Items 1 to 5) are scored on a 4-point scale (1=Not at All to 4=Very Much). The combined score of items 1 to 5 was computed by averaging the raw scores of the 5 items and then applying a linear transformation to standardize the average score, so that the combined scores range from 0-100. A higher score indicates a better outcome. TTD was defined as the time from baseline to first onset of ≥10-point negative change (decrease) from baseline in physical functioning (Items 1 to 5). A longer TTD indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to approximately 25 months
TTD in EORTC QLQ-C30 Role Functioning (Items 6 and 7) Score
EORTC QLQ-C30 is a questionnaire to assess the overall QoL of cancer patients. Participant responses to questions about their role functioning (Items 6 and 7) are scored on a 4-point scale (1=Not at All to 4=Very Much). The combined score of Items 6 and 7 was computed by averaging the raw scores of the items and then applying a linear transformation to standardize the average score, so that the combined scores range from 0-100. A higher score indicates a better outcome. TTD was defined as the time from baseline to first onset of ≥10-point negative change (decrease) from baseline in role functioning (Items 6 and 7). A longer TTD indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to approximately 25 months
TTD in Disease Symptoms Using the FKSI-DRS (Items 1-9) Score
TTD is defined as time from the first dose of study treatment to the date of deterioration of FKSI-DRS score. The FKSI-DRS index consists of a 9-item questionnaire that assesses the extent of participant symptoms from kidney cancer. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale (0=not at all to 4=very much). FKSI-DRS total score ranged from 0 (most severe symptoms) to 36 (no symptoms) with a higher score indicating a better outcome. Deterioration is defined as a 3-point decrease (i.e. lower score) in symptom score and the time to true deterioration is the time to first onset of 3 or more decreases from baseline with confirmation under right-censoring rule (the last observation). A longer TTD indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: Up to approximately 25 months
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Plan to share: Yes — https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf
Data sharing details ↗ · externaldatasharing-msd.com
Started Apr 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Nov 2030, 55 months after the start.
Of 35 industry-sponsored phase 3 interventional studies under Carcinoma, Renal Cell, half reached primary completion within 49 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 31 and three quarters within 59. This study's planned 55 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 61 studies reached it within 56 months; a quarter within 42 and three quarters within 89.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Zanzalintinib