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Advanced or Metastatic Solid TumorsPhase 1NCT05594043

A Study of MK-6598 as Monotherapy and in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Advanced Solid Tumors (MK-6598-001)

A Phase 1 study testing MK-6598 and Pembrolizumab in people with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors, run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 6 sites in 3 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety and establish a preliminary recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of MK-6598 administered as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in adult participants with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
What is being tested?
MK-6598 and Pembrolizumab
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
39 participants
Where
6 sitesin 3 countries
Study dates
21 Dec 2022to 21 May 2025
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Has a histologically- or cytologically-confirmed advanced/metastatic solid tumor by pathology report and has received, or been intolerant to, all treatment known to confer clinical benefit.
  • Has measurable disease by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 as assessed by the local site investigator/radiology.
  • Has one or more discrete malignant lesions that are amenable to a minimum of 2 separate biopsies.
  • Has a baseline tumor sample that can be submitted for analysis.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected participants must have well controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  • A participant assigned male sex at birth who receives MK-6598 must agree to use contraception and should refrain from donating sperm during the specified period(s) of at least 102 days after study interventions.
  • A participant assigned female sex at birth is eligible to participate if not pregnant or breastfeeding and at least 1 of the following: not a participant of childbearing potential (POCBP) or a POCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for up to 120 days after study intervention.

Who cannot join

  • Received prior systemic anticancer therapy including investigational agents within 4 weeks before the first dose of study intervention or has not recovered to CTCAE Version 5.0 Grade 1 or better from any AEs that were due to cancer therapeutics administered more than 4 weeks earlier (this includes participants with previous immunomodulatory therapy with residual immune-related AEs).
  • Known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within 2 years.
  • Clinically active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
  • A severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) reaction to treatment with a monoclonal antibody/components of the study intervention.
  • Active infection requiring therapy.
  • History of interstitial lung disease.
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  • History of (noninfectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
  • Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years. Replacement therapy (eg, thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid) is allowed.
  • Has known hepatitis B or C infections or known to be positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or hepatitis C antibody or ribonucleic acid (RNA).
  • Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, laboratory abnormality, or other circumstance that might confound the results of the study or interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, such that it is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
  • Received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention, has radiation-related toxicities requiring corticosteroids, or had a history of radiation pneumonitis.
  • Has received a live or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study intervention. Administration of killed vaccines are allowed.
  • Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (eg, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 [CTLA-4], OX 40, CD137), and was discontinued from that treatment due to a ≥Grade 3 immune-related AE (irAE).
  • Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days before the start of study treatment.
  • Has had an allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant in the last 5 years or has evidence of graft-versus-host disease.

Trial locations and contacts

6 sites in 3 countries.

6 sites in 3 countries

Switzerland3 sites
  • Ospedale Regionale Bellinzona e Valli ( Site 0200)

    Bellinzona, Canton Ticino, 6500

  • Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG) ( Site 0202)

    Geneva, Canton of Geneva, 1211

  • Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen ( Site 0203)

    Sankt Gallen, 9007

Other trials in Switzerland

Canada2 sites
  • Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal-Unit for Innovative Therapies ( Site 0100)

    Montreal, Quebec, H2X 0A9

  • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre ( Site 0101)

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9

Other trials in Canada

United States1 site
  • Sanford Cancer Center ( Site 0300)

    Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Phase 1, Open-label, Multicenter Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability, PK, and Efficacy of MK-6598 as Monotherapy and in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety and establish a preliminary recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of MK-6598 administered as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in adult participants with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

Being tested
MK-6598, Pembrolizumab
Keywords
Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD1, PD-1), Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 1 (PDL1, PD-L1), Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 2 (PDL2, PD-L2)
Medical subject headings
Parkinson Disease 4, Autosomal Dominant Lewy Body

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • MK-6598Drug

    Oral tablet

  • PembrolizumabBiological

    Also called MK-3475, Keytruda®

    Intravenous (IV) infusion

Study groups in NCT05594043
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
MK-6598ExperimentalParticipants received MK-6598 daily (QD) between 50-500 mg for up to a total of 35 cycles (up to approximately 24 months). Participants were allowed at the investigator's discretion and after consultation with the Sponsor, to cross over to receive combination treatment of MK-6598 and Pembrolizumab
Receives: Drug: MK-6598
MK-6598 + PembrolizumabExperimentalQD between 50-250 mg, plus pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 21-day cycle for up to 35 cycles (up to approximately 24 months).
Receives: Drug: MK-6598; Biological: Pembrolizumab

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Number of Participants With a Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT) Graded Using National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (AEs) Version 5.0

    DLT is defined as any of the following toxicities, unless assessed by investigator as due to the underlying disease or extraneous causes: Grade (Gr) 4 nonhematologic toxicity (not laboratory); Gr 4 hematologic toxicity lasting ≥7 days, except thrombocytopenia; Gr 4 thrombocytopenia of any duration; Gr 3 thrombocytopenia associated with clinically significant bleeding lasting ≥7 days; Gr 4 anemia of any duration; Nonhematologic AE Gr ≥3 in severity, with exceptions; Any Gr 3/4 nonhematologic lab abnormality if it requires clinically significant medical intervention, leads to hospitalization, persists for >72 hours, or results in certain drug-induced liver injuries, with some exceptions; Gr 3 or 4 febrile neutropenia; >2 week delay in initiating Cycle 2 due to treatment-related toxicity; Treatment-related toxicity resulting in study treatment discontinuation during Cycle 1 (C1), 1 cycle = 21 days; Missing >25% of MK-6598 doses due to treatment-related AE during C1; Gr 5 toxicity.

    Measured: Up to approximately 21 days

  2. Number of Participants Who Experienced At Least One AE

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study intervention. The number of participants who experienced an AE will be reported.

    Measured: Up to approximately 24 months

  3. Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to an AE

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study intervention. The number of participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE will be reported.

    Measured: Up to approximately 24 months

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Area Under the Curve From Time 0 to Last Quantifiable Sample (AUC0-last) of MK-6598

    Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the AUC0-last of MK-6598 in participant's plasma. AUC0-last of MK-6598 was defined as the area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the time of the last quantifiable (above lower limit of quantitation) concentration. AUC0-last was calculated using noncompartmental analysis. Geometric coefficient of variation is calculated in the natural log-scale with the equation:100 x sqrt(exp(σ^2) - 1), where σ^2 is the observed variance on the natural log scale.

    Measured: Days 1, 8, and 15 of Cycle 1: predose, postdose at 30 minutes (min), 45 min, 60 min, 2 hours (hrs), 6 hrs. Days 2 and 9 of Cycle 1: predose.

  2. Minimum Serum Concentration (Cmin) of MK-6598

    Blood samples collected pre-dose and at multiple timepoints post-dose will be used to determine Cmin. Geometric coefficient of variation is calculated in the natural log-scale with the equation:100 x sqrt(exp(σ^2) - 1), where σ^2 is the observed variance on the natural log scale.

    Measured: Days 8 and 15 of Cycle 1: predose, postdose at 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 2 hrs, 6 hrs. Days 2 and 9 of Cycle 1: predose.

  3. Maximum Serum Concentration (Cmax) of MK-6598

    Blood samples collected pre-dose and at multiple timepoints post-dose will be used to determine Cmax. Geometric coefficient of variation is calculated in the natural log-scale with the equation:100 x sqrt(exp(σ^2) - 1), where σ^2 is the observed variance on the natural log scale.

    Measured: Days 1, 8, and 15 of Cycle 1: predose, postdose at 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 2 hrs, 6 hrs. Days 2 and 9 of Cycle 1: predose.

  4. Tumor Phenylpyruvate Concentration

    Tumor core biopsy sample collected during screening period and cycle 2 (21 day cycles) day 1 to determine tumor phenylpyruvate concentration (pmol/mg).

    Measured: Approximately Day 22

  5. Time to Maximum Concentration (Tmax) of MK-6598

    Tmax was defined as the time to maximum concentration of MK-6598 observed in plasma. Blood samples were collected pre-dose and post-dose at designated timepoints to determine Tmax of MK-6598.

    Measured: Days 1, 8, and 15 of Cycle 1: predose, postdose at 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 2 hrs, 6 hrs. Days 2 and 9 of Cycle 1: predose.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted26 Oct 2022
  2. Study start21 Dec 2022
  3. Primary completion21 May 2025
  4. Study completion21 May 2025

Resources

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 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
39 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05594043
Sponsor's protocol ID
6598-001
Other IDs
MK-6598-001
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
21 Oct 2022
Last updated
15 Jul 2026
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing MK-6598 and Pembrolizumab in people with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors, run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 6 sites in 3 countries.

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 7 inclusion and 15 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 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 6 sites in Switzerland, Canada, United States. 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 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 15 Jul 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

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?

Number of Participants With a Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT) Graded Using National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (AEs) Version 5.0 (time frame: Up to approximately 21 days). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 15 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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