Penile CancerPhase 2NCT03391479
A Study of Avelumab in Penile Cancer Who Are Unfit for or Have Progressed After Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
A Phase 2 study testing Avelumab in people with Penile Cancer and Advanced Cancer, run by University Health Network, Toronto at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
This is a phase 2 study whose purpose is see how useful investigational drug, avelumab, is in patients with locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer who are unfit for or progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Penile Cancer, Advanced Cancer, Metastatic Cancer
- What is being tested?
- Avelumab
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 25 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 15 Aug 2018to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the penis
- Measurable disease per Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST)
- Unresectable/metastatic disease that is unfit for platinum-based chemotherapy OR disease that has progressed on or after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
- ≥18 years of age
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-2
Who cannot join
- Prior immunotherapy with IL-2, IFN-α, or an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, or CTLA-4 antibody (including ipilimumab), or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or immune checkpoint pathways
- Major surgery ≤4 weeks or major radiation therapy ≤2 weeks prior to enrollment
- Known symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastases requiring steroids
- Active autoimmune disease that might deteriorate when receiving an immunostimulatory agent
- Diagnosis of prior immunodeficiency or organ transplant requiring immunosuppressive therapy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Phase 2, Multi-centre, Open-label Study of Avelumab (MSB0010718C) in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Penile Cancer Patients Unfit for Platinum-based Chemotherapy or Progressed On or After Platinum-based Chemotherapy
This is a phase 2 study whose purpose is see how useful investigational drug, avelumab, is in patients with locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer who are unfit for or progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy.
The usefulness of avelumab in this study population will be determined by anti-tumor activity assessed by objective response rate.
Avelumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein called programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and blocks its communication with another protein called programmed death protein 1 (PD-1). The communication of these proteins are thought to be important in the growth of tumors. Blocking these proteins from communicating may stop or shrink tumors.
- Conditions
- Penile Cancer, Advanced Cancer, Metastatic Cancer
- Being tested
- Avelumab, Best Supportive Care
- Medical subject headings
- Penile Neoplasms, Neoplasm Metastasis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AvelumabDrug
Avelumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 isotype. Avelumab selectively binds to programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and competitively blocks its interaction with programmed death protein 1 (PD-1).
Best Supportive CareOther
As required.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Avelumab and Best Supportive Care | Experimental | Avelumab will be given intravenously (by vein) at a dose of 10 mg/kg, once every 2 weeks
Best supportive care will be provided as required. Receives: Drug: Avelumab; Other: Best Supportive Care |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Objective Response Rate
To demonstrate the anti-tumor activity of avelumab by objective response rate (ORR) according to Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic penile carcinoma unfit for platinum-based chemotherapy or progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Measured: 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Progression-free Survival Rate
Assess the progression free survival (PFS) of avelumab in patients determined to have PD-L1-positive tumors (including infiltrating immune cells) by the GMP verified Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx test with thresholds of <1%, 1-49%, and ≥ 50% to define PD-L1 positivity, and in all enrolled patients
Measured: 3 years
Overall Survival Rate
Assess the overall survival (OS) of avelumab in patients determined to have PD-L1-positive tumors (including infiltrating immune cells) by the GMP verified Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx test with thresholds of <1%, 1-49%, and ≥ 50% to define PD-L1 positivity, and in all enrolled patients
Measured: 3 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jan 2018
- Study start15 Aug 2018
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Penile CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University Health Network, TorontoThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Health Network, Toronto
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Srikala Sridhar, M.D., Principal investigator, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03391479
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ALPACA
- Other IDs
- 17-6013
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Dec 2017
- Last updated
- 6 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Phase 2, Multi-centre, Open-label Study of Avelumab (MSB0010718C) in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Penile Cancer Patients Unfit for Platinum-based Chemotherapy or Progressed On or After Platinum-based Chemotherapy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03391479
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ALPACA
- Conditions
- Penile Cancer, Advanced Cancer, Metastatic Cancer
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Health Network, TorontoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Aug 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Jan 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a phase 2 study whose purpose is see how useful investigational drug, avelumab, is in patients with locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer who are unfit for or progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy.
The usefulness of avelumab in this study population will be determined by anti-tumor activity assessed by objective response rate.
Avelumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein called programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and blocks its communication with another protein called programmed death protein 1 (PD-1). The communication of these proteins are thought to be important in the growth of tumors. Blocking these proteins from communicating may stop or shrink tumors.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Avelumab and Best Supportive Care | Experimental | Drug: Avelumab, Other: Best Supportive CareAvelumab will be given intravenously (by vein) at a dose of 10 mg/kg, once every 2 weeks Best supportive care will be provided as required. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the penis
- Measurable disease per Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST)
- Unresectable/metastatic disease that is unfit for platinum-based chemotherapy OR disease that has progressed on or after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
- ≥18 years of age
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-2
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Prior immunotherapy with IL-2, IFN-α, or an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, or CTLA-4 antibody (including ipilimumab), or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or immune checkpoint pathways
- Major surgery ≤4 weeks or major radiation therapy ≤2 weeks prior to enrollment
- Known symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastases requiring steroids
- Active autoimmune disease that might deteriorate when receiving an immunostimulatory agent
- Diagnosis of prior immunodeficiency or organ transplant requiring immunosuppressive therapy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| AvelumabAvelumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 isotype. Avelumab selectively binds to programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and competitively blocks its interaction with programmed death protein 1 (PD-1). | Drug | Avelumab and Best Supportive Care |
| Best Supportive CareAs required. | Other | Avelumab and Best Supportive Care |
Primary outcome
Objective Response Rate
Time frame: 4 weeks
To demonstrate the anti-tumor activity of avelumab by objective response rate (ORR) according to Immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic penile carcinoma unfit for platinum-based chemotherapy or progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
2 secondary outcomes
Progression-free Survival Rate
Time frame: 3 years
Overall Survival Rate
Time frame: 3 years
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Jul 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Srikala Sridhar, M.D. principal investigator
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing Avelumab in people with Penile Cancer and Advanced Cancer, run by University Health Network, Toronto at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Objective Response Rate (time frame: 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Jul 2026.