Data updated: Jun 28, 2026

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Clinical Trial Landscape

Merkel Cell Carcinoma is being studied across 101 clinical trials registered since 2008, with 52 programs currently active. The competitive pipeline includes 4 active Phase 3 trials, 35 active Phase 2 trials, and 13 active Phase 1 trials.

Top industry sponsors include TuHURA Biosciences, Inc., ImmunityBio, Inc., AstraZeneca.

Trial activity

52 active / 101 total since 2008

Active by phase 4 Ph3 / 6 35 Ph2 / 64 13 Ph1 / 31 0 Ph4 / 0

Sponsor activity

Who is running trials now — green active, blue completed, red failed/terminated.

Sorted by active Active Done Failed

TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. 2 1 0

ImmunityBio, Inc. 1 0 3

AstraZeneca 1 0 0

Replimune, Inc. 1 0 0

KaliVir Immunotherapeutics 1 0 0

Neonc Technologies, Inc. 1 0 0

Phio Pharmaceuticals Inc. 1 0 0

SystImmune Inc. 1 0 0

Sotio Biotech Inc. 1 0 0

Fujifilm Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. 1 0 0

Memgen, Inc. 1 0 0

Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. 1 0 0

Medicenna Therapeutics, Inc. 1 0 0

Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. 1 0 0

ImaginAb, Inc. 1 0 0

All 15 active Merkel Cell Carcinoma sponsors

Unlock the remaining 7 sponsors with active / completed / failed counts — sortable and exportable.

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How the field has grown

New-trial starts peaked in 2019 (12 registered); 2025 saw 7. The right-hand chart shows median Phase 3 enrollment by start year — the number in parentheses is that year's Phase 3 trial count (6 in total), so single-trial years (and years with no Phase 3 starts) are obvious. Both are by trial start date; the current year is partial.

New trials started by year

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

TheraRadar.com

Median Phase 3 enrollment by start year

2016 (0)

2017 (1)

101

2018 (1)

280

2019 (2)

108

2020 (0)

2021 (0)

2022 (1)

646

2023 (0)

2024 (0)

2025 (1)

118

2026 (0)

TheraRadar.com

Full trial pipeline

Every active and completed trial across Phase 1–4, with enrollment analytics. Sortable, filterable, exportable with Pro.

NCT03712605 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Testing Pembrolizumab Versus Observation in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma After Surgery, STAMP Trial

National Cancer Institute (NCI) n=280

NCT03271372 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Adjuvant Avelumab in Merkel Cell Cancer

University of Washington n=101

NCT06947928 RECRUITING

Placebo-Controlled Trial of IFx-Hu2.0 Followed By Pembrolizumab In Checkpoint Inhibitor Naïve Participants With Advanced Or Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. n=118

NCT05078047 RECRUITING

Study Comparing the Standard Administration of IO Versus the Same IO Administered Each 3 Months in Patients in Response After 6 Months of Standard IO

UNICANCER n=646

NCT04157985 COMPLETED

Evaluating Length of Treatment With PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor in Advanced Solid Tumors

Dan Zandberg n=161

NCT03783078 COMPLETED

Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) as First-line Therapy for Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MK-3475-913)

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC n=55

NCT05896839 RECRUITING

Immunotherapy in Combination With Prednisone and Sirolimus for Kidney Transplant Recipients With Unresectable or Metastatic Skin Cancer

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCT05947500 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Testing the Combination of Two Anticancer Drugs M1774 (Tuvusertib) and Avelumab to Evaluate Their Safety and Effectiveness in Treating Merkel Cell Skin Cancer, MATRiX Trial

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCT02978625 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Talimogene Laherparepvec and Nivolumab in Treating Patients With Refractory Lymphomas or Advanced or Refractory Non-melanoma Skin Cancers

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCT07576725 NOT YET RECRUITING

Low Dose, Reduced Frequency Nivolumab for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Cancer, AFFORD IO Trial

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

NCT06814496 RECRUITING

Radiation Combined With BIspecific T-Cell Engager in DLL3 Expressing Tumors

University of Arizona

NCT07115043 RECRUITING

A Study to Investigate Safety of AZD6750 in Adult Participants With Select Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors

AstraZeneca

NCT04349436 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of RP1 in Adult Patients With Organ Transplants and Advanced Skin Malignancies

Replimune, Inc.

NCT07472322 NOT YET RECRUITING

ASTX727 & Retifanlimab-dlwr for Advanced Merkel Cell After Progression on Anti-PD-(L)1

University of Wisconsin, Madison

NCT05583708 RECRUITING

Phase II Study of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy in Combination With Immunotherapy for Patients With Merkel Cell Cancer

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

NCT05969860 RECRUITING

At-Home Cancer Directed Therapy Versus in Clinic for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Cancer

Mayo Clinic

NCT07387198 RECRUITING

Neoadjuvant Merkel Cell Carcinoma Therapy (Tx) With the PD-1 Inhibitor Cemiplimab

Institut für Klinische Krebsforschung IKF GmbH at Krankenhaus Nordwest

NCT04291885 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Immunotherapy Adjuvant Trial in Patients With Stage I-III Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited

NCT04869137 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Neoadjuvant Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab in Merkel Cell Carcinoma

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

NCT04792073 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Study of Avelumab and/or Radiation Therapy in People With Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NCT04261855 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Targeted Therapy and Avelumab in Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited

NCT05269381 RECRUITING

Personalized Neoantigen Peptide-Based Vaccine in Combination With Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors

Mayo Clinic

NCT03071406 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Randomized Study of Nivolumab+Ipilimumab+/- SBRT for Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

NCT03074513 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Rare Solid Tumors

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT06223659 RECRUITING

EMLA Topical Cream for Treatment of Pain in Patients Receiving Intra-Dermal Technetium 99 Injections for Lymphoscintigraphy for Skin Cancers

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

NCT06047379 RECRUITING

Safety and Efficacy of NEO212 in Patients With Astrocytoma IDH-mutant, Glioblastoma IDH-wildtype or Brain Metastasis

Neonc Technologies, Inc.

NCT05496036 RECRUITING

Neoadjuvant PD-1 Blockade in Resectable Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

NCT06151236 RECRUITING

Neoadjuvant Nivolumab and Relatlimab in Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma Institute Australia

NCT07288073 RECRUITING

TIL Therapy in cSCC and MCC

Karam Khaddour, MD, MS

NCT06056895 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Triple Immune Checkpoint Inhibition for Advanced or Metastatic PD-(L)1 Refractory Merkel Cell Carcinoma

University of Washington

NCT03228667 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

QUILT-3.055: A Study of Combination Immunotherapies in Patients Who Have Previously Received Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

ImmunityBio, Inc.

NCT05594290 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Chemo-immunotherapy in Patients With Resectable Merkel Cell Carcinoma Prior to Surgery

Gruppo Oncologico del Nord-Ovest

NCT05100095 RECRUITING

Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT07285044 RECRUITING

The Cancer Connected Access and Remote Expertise Beyond Walls Program to Provide In-Home Cancer Treatment and Improve Treatment Satisfaction in Cancer Patients Living in the Florida Panhandle and Surrounding Areas

Mayo Clinic

NCT05120271 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

BOXR1030 T Cells in Subjects With Advanced GPC3-Positive Solid Tumors

Sotio Biotech Inc.

NCT02479698 RECRUITING

Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Treating Patients With Malignancies With BK and/or JC Virus

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT05864144 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

A Study of SNS-101 (Anti VISTA) Monotherapy and in Combination With Cemiplimab in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc.

NCT03935893 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Adoptive Transfer of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes for Advanced Solid Cancers

Udai Kammula

NCT05086692 RECRUITING

A Beta-only IL-2 ImmunoTherapY Study

Medicenna Therapeutics, Inc.

NCT05013099 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Study of Zirconium Zr 89 Crefmirlimab Berdoxam PET/CT in Subjects With Advanced or Metastatic Malignancies

ImaginAb, Inc.

NCT06086288 NOT YET RECRUITING

Study of PembrolizumAb combiNeD With Cisplatin or carbOplatin and Etoposide in Treatment naïve Advanced meRkel Cell cArcinoma (MCC)

Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano

NCT03304639 COMPLETED

Testing the Addition of Radiation Therapy to Immunotherapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCT04902040 TERMINATED

Plinabulin in Combination With Radiation/Immunotherapy in Patients With Select Advanced Cancers After Progression on PD-1 or PD-L1 Targeted Antibodies

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT06939036 TERMINATED

Study of 225Ac-SS0110 in Subjects With ES-SCLC or MCC (SANTANA-225 )

Ariceum Therapeutics GmbH

NCT04260802 TERMINATED

A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of OC-001 in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancers

Ocellaris Pharma, Inc.

NCT04916002 TERMINATED

A Trial To Find Out If Vidutolimod Together With Cemiplimab Is Safe And If It Works In Adult Participants With Advanced Cancer Or Metastatic Cancer

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

NCT04725331 TERMINATED

A Clinical Trial Assessing BT-001 Alone and in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Metastatic or Advanced Solid Tumors

Transgene

NCT03901573 TERMINATED

High-Risk Skin Cancers With Atezolizumab Plus NT-I7

NeoImmuneTech

NCT03599713 COMPLETED

A Study of INCMGA00012 in Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (POD1UM-201)

Incyte Corporation

NCT02196961 COMPLETED

Adjuvant Therapy of Completely Resected Merkel Cell Carcinoma With Immune Checkpoint Blocking Antibodies vs Observation

Prof. Dr. med. Dirk Schadendorf

NCT03167164 WITHDRAWN

QUILT-3.045: NANT Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) Vaccine: Combination Immunotherapy in Subjects With MCC Who Have Progressed on or After PD-L1 Therapy

ImmunityBio, Inc.

NCT02819843 COMPLETED

A Study of T-VEC (Talimogene Laherparepvec) With or Without Radiotherapy for Melanoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, or Other Solid Tumors

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NCT03853317 TERMINATED

QUILT-3.063: A Study of N-803, haNK and Avelumab in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma That Has Progressed After Checkpoint Therapy

ImmunityBio, Inc.

NCT04393753 COMPLETED

Domatinostat in Combination With Avelumab in Patients With Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma Progressing on Anti-PD-(L)1

4SC AG

NCT02465957 TERMINATED

QUILT-3.009: Patients With Stage III (IIIB) or Stage (IV) Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)

ImmunityBio, Inc.

NCT02267603 COMPLETED

Pembrolizumab in Treating Patients With Advanced Merkel Cell Cancer

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCT01440816 COMPLETED

IL-12 Gene and in Vivo Electroporation-Mediated Plasmid DNA Vaccine Therapy in Patients With Merkel Cell Cancer

OncoSec Medical Incorporated

NCT02036476 TERMINATED

Cabozantinib in Recurrent/Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

NCT04590781 TERMINATED

Safety and Efficacy of XmAb18087 ± Pembrolizumab in Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma or Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Xencor, Inc.

NCT03435640 TERMINATED

REVEAL Study of NKTR-262 in Combination With NKTR-214 and Nivolumab in Patients With Locally Advanced / Metastatic Solid Tumor Malignancies

Nektar Therapeutics

NCT02643303 COMPLETED

A Study of Tremelimumab and IV Durvalumab Plus Poly-ICLC in Subjects With Biopsy-accessible Cancers

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

NCT01013779 COMPLETED

Merkel Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Protocol

Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group

NCT03684785 TERMINATED

Intratumoral Cavrotolimod Combined With Pembrolizumab or Cemiplimab in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, or Other Advanced Solid Tumors

Exicure, Inc.

NCT02584829 TERMINATED

Localized Radiation Therapy or Recombinant Interferon Beta and Avelumab With or Without Cellular Adoptive Immunotherapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

NCT04874831 WITHDRAWN

Domatinostat in Combination With Avelumab in Patients With Treatment-naïve Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MERKLIN 1)

4SC AG

NCT03988647 TERMINATED

Palliative RT & Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint Blockade in Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Stanford University

NCT02514824 COMPLETED

MLN0128 in Recurrent/Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

NCT01913691 WITHDRAWN

Study of the Drug Ipilimumab for Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCT02054884 TERMINATED

F16IL2 Plus Paclitaxel in Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Philogen S.p.A.

NCT01758458 TERMINATED

Viral Oncoprotein Targeted Autologous T Cell Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

NCT03816332 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Tacrolimus, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab in Treating Kidney Transplant Recipients With Selected Unresectable or Metastatic Cancers

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCT06021626 RECRUITING

A Study of CRD3874-SI in People With Solid Tumors

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NCT06444815 RECRUITING

A Study of VET3-TGI in Patients With Solid Tumors

KaliVir Immunotherapeutics

NCT06014086 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Intratumoral PH-762 for Cutaneous Carcinoma

Phio Pharmaceuticals Inc.

NCT07080242 RECRUITING

Evaluating BL-M14D1 in Subjects With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer and Neuroendocrine Tumors

SystImmune Inc.

NCT04616248 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

In Situ Immunomodulation With CDX-301, Radiation Therapy, CDX-1140 and Poly-ICLC in Patients w/ Unresectable and Metastatic Solid Tumors

University of Southern California

NCT04975152 RECRUITING

Neoadjuvant Cemiplimab in Newly Diagnosed or Recurrent Stage I-II Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Locoregionally Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

NCT05859074 RECRUITING

A Study of MQ710 With and Without Pembrolizumab in People With Solid Tumor Cancer

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NCT06940440 RECRUITING

IFx-Hu2.0 As An Adjunctive Therapy To Pembrolizumab In Advanced Or Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)

TuHURA Biosciences, Inc.

NCT04047251 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

A Study of FF-10850 Topotecan Liposome Injection in Advanced Solid Tumors Including Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Fujifilm Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

NCT05076760 RECRUITING

MEM-288 Oncolytic Virus Alone and in Combination With Standard of Care Therapy in Advanced Solid Tumors

Memgen, Inc.

NCT03212404 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

Phase 1 Study of CK-301 (Cosibelimab) as a Single Agent in Subjects With Advanced Cancers

Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.

NCT07600476 RECRUITING

A First-in-Human Study to Evaluate the Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of KUP-101A in Patients With Selected Advanced Solid Tumors

Kupando GmbH

NCT04234113 TERMINATED

Study of Nanrilkefusp Alfa Alone and With Pembrolizumab in Adult Patients With Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

SOTIO Biotech AG

NCT04272034 TERMINATED

Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of INCB099318 in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors

Incyte Corporation

NCT04242199 COMPLETED

Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of INCB099280 in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors

Incyte Corporation

NCT04116320 TERMINATED

Focused Ultrasound Ablation and PD-1 Antibody Blockade in Advanced Solid Tumors

Craig L Slingluff, Jr

NCT04160065 COMPLETED

Immunotherapy With IFx-Hu2.0 Vaccine for Advanced Non-melanoma Skin Cancers

TuHURA Biosciences, Inc.

NCT03629756 COMPLETED

A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of Immunotherapy Combinations in Participants With Advanced Malignancies

Arcus Biosciences, Inc.

NCT03798639 COMPLETED

Nivolumab and Radiation Therapy or Ipilimumab as Adjuvant Therapy in Treating Patients With Merkel Cell Cancer

Claire Verschraegen

NCT04187872 TERMINATED

LITT and Pembrolizumab in Recurrent Brain Metastasis

University of Florida

NCT05422781 COMPLETED

Study To Evaluate The Safety, Tolerability And Immunogenicity Of 4 mg Of ITI-3000 In Patients With Polyomavirus-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)

Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc.

NCT03841110 COMPLETED

FT500 as Monotherapy and in Combination With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Subjects With Advanced Solid Tumors

Fate Therapeutics

NCT04596033 TERMINATED

TiTAN-1: Safety, Proliferation and Persistence of GEN-011 Autologous Cell Therapy

Genocea Biosciences, Inc.

NCT03458117 COMPLETED

T-VEC in Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

University of Zurich

NCT03652077 COMPLETED

A Safety and Tolerability Study of INCAGN02390 in Select Advanced Malignancies

Incyte Corporation

NCT01652547 COMPLETED

A Phase I, Exploratory, Intra-patient Dose Escalation Study to Investigate the Preliminary Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Anti-tumor Activity of Pasireotide (SOM230) s.c.Followed by Pasireotide LAR in Patients With Metastaticmelanoma or Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

NCT03538028 COMPLETED

A Safety and Tolerability Study of INCAGN02385 in Select Advanced Malignancies

Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl

NCT02035657 COMPLETED

A Proof-of-Concept Trial of GLA-SE in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Immune Design, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA)

NCT02831179 WITHDRAWN

Veliparib, Capecitabine, and Temozolomide in Patients With Advanced, Metastatic, and Recurrent Neuroendocrine Tumor

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

NCT01204476 COMPLETED

Cixutumumab, Everolimus, and Octreotide Acetate in Treating Patients With Advanced Low to Intermediate Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Full Merkel Cell Carcinoma Pipeline

Every trial across Phase 1–4, plus enrollment analytics. Sortable, filterable, exportable.

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Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · Trials registered 2008 onwards · Industry sponsors only