Part 1 will find the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/maximum administered dose (MAD), confirm the dose, and find the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) for pembrolizumab therapy. Part 2 will further evaluate the safety and efficacy at the pediatric RP2D.

The primary hypothesis of this study is that intravenous (IV) administration of pembrolizumab to children with either advanced melanoma; a PD-L1 positive advanced, relapsed or refractory solid tumor or other lymphoma; advanced, relapsed or refractory MSI-H solid tumor; or rrcHL, will result in an Objective Response Rate (ORR) greater than 10% for at least one of these types of cancer.

Principal Investigator:
Ruben, Elyssa

Research Coordinator:
Dorian Chan
(714) 509-8646

Visit clinicaltrials.gov for more information about this trial.



  • Clinical Trial Info
  • IRB Number: 160657
  • Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co,. Inc.
  • Protocol Number: MK3475-051/ADVL1621
  • NCT Number: NCT02332668
  • Research Type: Adolescents and Young Adults, Recurrent/Refractory Cancer, Solid Tumors
  • Phase: I/II
  • Status: Active - Open to Enrollment

Key Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age: Between 6 months and <18 years of age (or between 3 years and <18 years of age for rrcHL participants)
  • Histologically- or cytologically-documented, locally-advanced, or metastatic solid malignancy or lymphoma
  • Any number of prior treatment regimens
  • Tissue (or lymph node biopsy for rrcHL participants) available from an archival tissue sample
  • Advanced melanoma or PD-L1-positive advanced, relapsed, or refractory solid tumor or lymphoma
  • Adequate organ function

Key Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of immunodeficiency or receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the date of allocation/randomization
  • Prior systemic anti-cancer therapy including investigational agent within 2 weeks prior to study
  • Prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study treatment
  • Known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment with the exception of basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ (eg, breast carcinoma, cervical carcinoma in situ) with potentially curative therapy, or in situ cervical cancer
  • Known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
  • Tumor(s) involving the brain stem
  • Severe hypersensitivity (≥ Grade 3) to pembrolizumab and/or any of its excipients
  • Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years; replacement therapy (such as thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency) is acceptable
  • Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
  • Active infection requiring systemic therapy
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial through 120 days after the last dose of study medicationPrior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death (PD)-1, anti-PD-ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1), anti-PD-L2 agent, or any agent directed to another stimulatory or inhibitory T-cell receptor (eg, cytotoxic lymphocyte associated protein-4 [CTLA-4], OX-40, CD137)
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Hepatitis B or C
  • Known history of active tuberculosis (TB; Bacillus tuberculosis)
  • Received a live vaccine within 30 days of planned start of study medication
  • Has undergone solid organ transplant at any time, or prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within the last 5 years. (Participants who have had an allogeneic hematopoietic transplant >5 years ago are eligible as long as there are no symptoms of Graft Versus Host Disease [GVHD].)
  • History or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality, or known severe hypersensitivity to any component or analog of the trial treatment, that might confound the results of the trial, or interfere with the participant’s participation for the full duration of the study
  • Known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with the requirements of the study