This clinical trial is being developed to treat patients with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (stage 3b or 4) off-label with the FDA-approved drug ipilimumab at the NIH Clinical Research Center and other study sites. The manufacturer is supplying the drug and a final agreement regarding the clinical trial is being negotiated with them. The trial protocol has been developed and has been approved by the NCI IRB. Patients will be treated with ipilimumab and followed to monitor clinical response. In addition, tumor specimens and blood will be collected to evaluate anti-tumor immune responses during treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIABC011450-02
Application #
8763532
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$135,072
Indirect Cost
Name
National Cancer Institute Division of Basic Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code
Baker, Mairead; Cordes, Lisa; Brownell, Isaac (2018) Avelumab: a new standard for treating metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 18:319-326
Cassler, Nicole M; Merrill, Dean; Bichakjian, Christopher K et al. (2016) Merkel Cell Carcinoma Therapeutic Update. Curr Treat Options Oncol 17:36