Patients will be enrolled in clinical trials designed to treat patients with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (stage 3b or 4). We seek to have the NIH Clinical Research Center serve as a study site in multi-institutional drug trials. Currently approval is being sought to participate in an open-label phase II study of EMD Serono's anti PD-L1 antibody (Avelumab) for the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma. In addition to the samples collected during the trial for the central protocol, patients seen at the NIH will have additional tumor specimens and blood collected to evaluate anti-tumor immune responses during treatment. Trial participants will also have the option to enroll in a study on the microbiome in cancer immunotherapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIABC011450-04
Application #
9153925
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
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