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Combination Margetuximab and Pembrolizumab for Advanced, Metastatic HER2(+) Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

A Phase 1b/2, Open Label, Dose Escalation Study of Margetuximab in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Advanced HER2+ Gastroesophageal Junction or Gastric Cancer

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02689284
Enrollment
95
Registered
2016-02-23
Start date
2016-01-31
Completion date
2021-01-31
Last updated
2025-03-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Esophageal Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Stomach Cancer

Brief summary

This main purpose of this clinical study is to learn about the safety and activity of margetuximab and pembrolizumab combination treatment in patients with HER2+ gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Detailed description

Detailed Description: Both margetuximab and pembrolizumab are monoclonal antibodies used in combination to treat HER2+ gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. This study has two parts: Dose Escalation and Dose Expansion. The Dose Escalation phase of the study will evaluate safety of escalating doses of the combination treatment. The Dose Expansion phase will evaluate safety and activity of the combination in patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer once the final dose and schedule are defined. In addition, a cohort of patients with HER2+ 3+ gastric cancer patients will be enrolled in the Dose Expansion Phase.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALMargetuximab 10 mg/kg

Margetuximab treatment is administered intravenously (IV) once every 21-day cycle

BIOLOGICALMargetuximab 15 mg

Margetuximab treatment is administered IV once every 21-day cycle

BIOLOGICALPembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab treatment is administered IV once every 21-day cycle

Sponsors

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
MacroGenics
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Signed written informed consent. 2. Age ≥ 18 years old (or minimum age based upon local regulations) 3. Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic histologically proven HER2+ gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) or gastric cancer. Gastric Cancer Expansion Phase will include only gastric cancer patients with 3+ HER2 positivity. 4. HER2+ as 3+ (as defined in AJCC staging manual 8th edition) by IHC or in-situ hybridation (ISH) amplified. 5. Have received prior treatment with trastuzumab. 6. Have received treatment with at least one or more lines of cytotoxic chemotherapy in the metastatic setting. 7. Resolution of chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation-related toxicities. 8. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. 9. Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks. 10. Measurable disease as per RECIST 1.1 criteria.

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients with symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastases. 2. Patients with any history of known or suspected autoimmune disease with the specific exceptions of vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment. 3. History of prior allogeneic bone marrow, stem-cell or solid organ transplantation. 4. Treatment with any systemic anti-neoplastic therapy, or investigational therapy within the 3 weeks prior to the initiation of study drug. 5. Treatment with radiation therapy within 3 weeks prior to the initiation of study drug administration. 6. Treatment with corticosteroids (≥10 mg per day prednisone or equivalent) or other immune suppressive drugs within the 14 days prior to the initiation of study drug administration. 7. History of clinically-significant cardiovascular disease. 8. Clinically-significant pulmonary compromise, including a requirement for supplemental oxygen use to maintain adequate oxygenation. 9. History of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or presence of active pneumonitis 10. Clinically-significant gastrointestinal disorders, such as perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, or diverticulitis. 11. Evidence of active viral, bacterial, or systemic fungal infection.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Patients With Dose Limiting Toxicities21 daysCharacterize maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or maximum administered dose (MAD) (if no MTD is defined) of margetuximab when administered in combination with pembrolizumab
Number of Patients With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs).up to 24 monthsThe number of patients that experience either an AE or a SAE during the study participation
Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment12 monthsInvestigate the preliminary anti-tumor activity as measured by response to treatment of margetuximab when administered in combination with pembrolizumab, using conventional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1
Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment Using irRC Criteria12 MonthsInvestigate the preliminary anti-tumor activity, as measured by objective response rate (ORR) of margetuximab when administered in combination with pembrolizumab, using immune-related response criteria (irRC).
Duration of Responseup to 24 monthsDuration of response is calculated at the time from CR or PR to relapse or cancer progression.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Maximum Concentration of Margetuximab at Steady StateAt end of infusion on Cycle 1, Day 1. Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit, average 12 monthsMeasurement of PK characteristics is limited to margetuximab. No analysis of pembrolizumab was conducted.
Area Under the Concentration Time Curve at Steady State (AUC ss)Predose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit, average 12 monthsAUC is a mathematical calculation that describes the variation in drug concentration in the blood over time.
Overall Survival (OS)24 MonthsThe median length of time between first dose of study medication and death from any cause.
Volume of Distribution at Steady StatePredose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit average 12 months .The volume of distribution is related to a whether how much drug is distributed to body tissues, or remains in the bloodstream.
Terminal Half-lifePredose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit average 12 months .Terminal half-life is the time required to divide the plasma concentration by two after reaching pseudo-equilibrium.
ClearancePredose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit, average 12 months.Drug clearance is the amount of drug removed from the bloodstream by the body per unit of time.
Progression Free Survival (PFS)24 MonthsThe interval between the first dose of study medication and progression of disease or death from any cause.
Change From Baseline in Pharmacodynamic Markers in Whole Bloodfrom first dose to the end of treatment, average about 12 monthsThe planned assessment included examination of markers of T-cell activation
Analysis of HER2 Tumor Cell Membrane Expression in Biopsy Specimens Before and After Treatmentfrom first dose to the end of treatment, average 12 months.
Number of Patients Who Develop Treatment-emergent Anti-drug Antibodies to Margetuximab (Immunogenicity)Assessed Cycle 1 Day 1, Cycle 2 Day 1, Cycle 3 Day 1, Day 1 of every odd cycle, and end of treatment visit, average 12 months

Countries

Canada, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)
combination treatment is administered once every 21-day cycle
3
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)
combination treatment is administered once every 21-day cycle
92
Total95

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event18
Overall Studyconcern for anemia01
Overall StudyDeath01
Overall Studydecreased heart function01
Overall Studyno measurable cancer for evaluation01
Overall StudyPhysician Decision12
Overall Studyprogression of cancer172
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject01

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMargetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Total
Age, Continuous62.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.87
60.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.83
60.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.71
ECOG Performance Status
0
0 participants33 participants33 participants
ECOG Performance Status
1
3 participants59 participants62 participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
3 Participants88 Participants91 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
HER2 IHC 3+ and PD-L1 positive0 Participants25 Participants25 Participants
HER2 status using immunohistochemistry (IHC)
IHC 2+
2 Participants21 Participants23 Participants
HER2 status using immunohistochemistry (IHC)
IHC 3+
1 Participants71 Participants72 Participants
PD-L1 Status
PD-L1 negative
1 Participants43 Participants44 Participants
PD-L1 Status
PD-L1 positive
1 Participants33 Participants34 Participants
PD-L1 Status
unknown
1 Participants16 Participants17 Participants
Primary tumor location
Gastric
0 participants61 participants61 participants
Primary tumor location
Gastroesophageal junction
3 participants31 participants34 participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants51 Participants51 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants3 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
3 Participants34 Participants37 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Canada
0 participants3 participants3 participants
Region of Enrollment
Singapore
0 participants8 participants8 participants
Region of Enrollment
South Korea
0 participants42 participants42 participants
Region of Enrollment
Taiwan
0 participants1 participants1 participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
3 participants38 participants41 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants17 Participants17 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants75 Participants78 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
3 / 369 / 92
other
Total, other adverse events
3 / 386 / 92
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 338 / 92

Outcome results

Primary

Duration of Response

Duration of response is calculated at the time from CR or PR to relapse or cancer progression.

Time frame: up to 24 months

Population: There were no responders in the 10mg/kg group

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Duration of Response12.1 months
Primary

Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment

Investigate the preliminary anti-tumor activity as measured by response to treatment of margetuximab when administered in combination with pembrolizumab, using conventional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1

Time frame: 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment0 Participants
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment18 Participants
Primary

Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment Using irRC Criteria

Investigate the preliminary anti-tumor activity, as measured by objective response rate (ORR) of margetuximab when administered in combination with pembrolizumab, using immune-related response criteria (irRC).

Time frame: 12 Months

Population: Analysis is limited to patients receiving margetuximab (15 mg/kg) and pembrolizumab (200 mg)

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment Using irRC Criteria0 Participants
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With a Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) to Treatment Using irRC Criteria19 Participants
Primary

Number of Patients With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs).

The number of patients that experience either an AE or a SAE during the study participation

Time frame: up to 24 months

Population: All patients receiving at least 1 dose of margetuximab or pembrolizumab

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs).3 Participants
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs).86 Participants
Primary

Number of Patients With Dose Limiting Toxicities

Characterize maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or maximum administered dose (MAD) (if no MTD is defined) of margetuximab when administered in combination with pembrolizumab

Time frame: 21 days

Population: Dose escalation cohorts to determine the expansion cohort dose.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With Dose Limiting Toxicities0 Participants
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients With Dose Limiting Toxicities0 Participants
Secondary

Analysis of HER2 Tumor Cell Membrane Expression in Biopsy Specimens Before and After Treatment

Time frame: from first dose to the end of treatment, average 12 months.

Population: Sample collection was planned for the Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) plus pembrolizumab (200 mg) cohort only. No samples were received that could be tested. The analysis could not be conducted.

Secondary

Area Under the Concentration Time Curve at Steady State (AUC ss)

AUC is a mathematical calculation that describes the variation in drug concentration in the blood over time.

Time frame: Predose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit, average 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)Dispersion
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Area Under the Concentration Time Curve at Steady State (AUC ss)1710 mcg/mL* dayGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.358
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Area Under the Concentration Time Curve at Steady State (AUC ss)2720 mcg/mL* dayGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.329
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Pharmacodynamic Markers in Whole Blood

The planned assessment included examination of markers of T-cell activation

Time frame: from first dose to the end of treatment, average about 12 months

Population: Analysis was not performed. A number of samples were degraded in shipping rendering insufficient samples to conduct the analysis.

Secondary

Clearance

Drug clearance is the amount of drug removed from the bloodstream by the body per unit of time.

Time frame: Predose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit, average 12 months.

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)Dispersion
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Clearance0.381 liters per dayGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.0394
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Clearance0.329 liters per dayGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.296
Secondary

Maximum Concentration of Margetuximab at Steady State

Measurement of PK characteristics is limited to margetuximab. No analysis of pembrolizumab was conducted.

Time frame: At end of infusion on Cycle 1, Day 1. Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit, average 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)Dispersion
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Maximum Concentration of Margetuximab at Steady State197 mcg/mLGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.249
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Maximum Concentration of Margetuximab at Steady State318 mcg/mLGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.168
Secondary

Number of Patients Who Develop Treatment-emergent Anti-drug Antibodies to Margetuximab (Immunogenicity)

Time frame: Assessed Cycle 1 Day 1, Cycle 2 Day 1, Cycle 3 Day 1, Day 1 of every odd cycle, and end of treatment visit, average 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients Who Develop Treatment-emergent Anti-drug Antibodies to Margetuximab (Immunogenicity)1 Participants
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Number of Patients Who Develop Treatment-emergent Anti-drug Antibodies to Margetuximab (Immunogenicity)4 Participants
Secondary

Overall Survival (OS)

The median length of time between first dose of study medication and death from any cause.

Time frame: 24 Months

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Overall Survival (OS)7.0 months
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Overall Survival (OS)12.7 months
Secondary

Progression Free Survival (PFS)

The interval between the first dose of study medication and progression of disease or death from any cause.

Time frame: 24 Months

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Progression Free Survival (PFS)1.4 months
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Progression Free Survival (PFS)2.7 months
Secondary

Terminal Half-life

Terminal half-life is the time required to divide the plasma concentration by two after reaching pseudo-equilibrium.

Time frame: Predose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit average 12 months .

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)Dispersion
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Terminal Half-life17.2 dayGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.312
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Terminal Half-life16.2 dayGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.286
Secondary

Volume of Distribution at Steady State

The volume of distribution is related to a whether how much drug is distributed to body tissues, or remains in the bloodstream.

Time frame: Predose and at end of infusion on Cycle 1, Days 1, 2 and 8: Cycle 2, Day 1; Cycle 3, Days 1 and 2; Cycle 5 Day 1, Cycle 7 Day 1, and end of treatment visit average 12 months .

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)Dispersion
Margetuximab (10 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Volume of Distribution at Steady State7.7 litersGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.306
Margetuximab (15 mg/kg) Plus Pembrolizumab (200 mg)Volume of Distribution at Steady State6.37 litersGeometric Coefficient of Variation 0.205

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 11, 2026