Could keytruda before surgery keep merkel cell cancer away?

NCT ID NCT05496036

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial is testing whether the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can shrink Merkel cell carcinoma before surgery and lower the risk of it returning afterward. About 15 people with stage I to III Merkel cell carcinoma that can be surgically removed will receive one dose of pembrolizumab before surgery, then more doses after. Researchers will measure how many patients have a complete or near-complete response in the tumor tissue removed during surgery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could lower the chance of Merkel cell carcinoma coming back after surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 15 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Side effects from pembrolizumab are possible, and the treatment may not improve outcomes.

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.

cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Penn Medicine
RECRUITING

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

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