New combo therapy aims to halt merkel cell cancer spread

NCT ID NCT04261855

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether adding radiation therapy (either external beam or a targeted radioactive drug called Lutathera) to the immunotherapy avelumab can help control metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. About 19 adults with advanced disease will receive avelumab every two weeks for up to 24 months, plus two radiation treatments. The main goal is to see how long the cancer stays under control.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: avelumab (Bavencio) plus radiation therapy (external beam or Lutathera)
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could offer a new way to control metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and delay disease progression.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 19 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Side effects from combining immunotherapy with radiation are not yet fully known.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

carcinoma cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma neuroendocrine neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

METASTATIC MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Gosford Hospital

Gosford, New South Wales, 2250, Australia
Lake Macquarie Private Hospital

Gateshead, New South Wales, 2290, Australia
Mid North Coast Cancer Institute - Coffs Harbour Health Campus

Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, 2450, Australia
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
Princess Alexandra Hospital

Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia
Royal Adelaide Hospital

Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

Brisbane, Queensland, 4029, Australia
Royal North Shore Hospital

Sydney, New South Wales, 2065, Australia
Sir Charles Gaidner Hospital

Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
Wyong Hospital

Hamlyn Terrace, New South Wales, 2259, Australia

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