PD-1 Blockade with Pembrolizumab in Advanced Merkel-Cell Carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Merkel-cell carcinoma is an aggressive skin cancer that is linked to exposure to ultraviolet light and the Merkel-cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma often responds to chemotherapy, but responses are transient. Blocking the programmed death 1 (PD-1) immune inhibitory pathway is of interest, because these tumors often express PD-L1, and MCPyV-specific T cells express PD-1.


METHODS
In this multicenter, phase 2, noncontrolled study, we assigned adults with advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma who had received no previous systemic therapy to receive pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) at a dose of 2 mg per kilogram of body weight every 3 weeks. The primary end point was the objective response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Efficacy was correlated with tumor viral status, as assessed by serologic and immunohistochemical testing.


RESULTS
A total of 26 patients received at least one dose of pembrolizumab. The objective response rate among the 25 patients with at least one evaluation during treatment was 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35 to 76); 4 patients had a complete response, and 10 had a partial response. With a median follow-up of 33 weeks (range, 7 to 53), relapses occurred in 2 of the 14 patients who had had a response (14%). The response duration ranged from at least 2.2 months to at least 9.7 months. The rate of progression-free survival at 6 months was 67% (95% CI, 49 to 86). A total of 17 of the 26 patients (65%) had virus-positive tumors. The response rate was 62% among patients with MCPyV-positive tumors (10 of 16 patients) and 44% among those with virus-negative tumors (4 of 9 patients). Drug-related grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 15% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, first-line therapy with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma was associated with an objective response rate of 56%. Responses were observed in patients with virus-positive tumors and those with virus-negative tumors. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and Merck; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02267603.).
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Paul T
PT
Nghiem
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Shailender
S
Bhatia
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Evan J
EJ
Lipson
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Ragini R
RR
Kudchadkar
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Natalie J
NJ
Miller
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Lakshmanan
L
Annamalai
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Sneha
S
Berry
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Elliot K
EK
Chartash
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Adil
A
Daud
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Steven P
SP
Fling
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Philip A
PA
Friedlander
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Harriet M
HM
Kluger
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Holbrook E
HE
Kohrt
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Lisa
L
Lundgren
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Kim
K
Margolin
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Alan
A
Mitchell
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Thomas
T
Olencki
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Drew M
DM
Pardoll
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Sunil A
SA
Reddy
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Erica M
EM
Shantha
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
William H
WH
Sharfman
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Elad
E
Sharon
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Lynn R
LR
Shemanski
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Michi M
MM
Shinohara
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Joel C
JC
Sunshine
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Janis M
JM
Taube
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
John A
JA
Thompson
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Steven M
SM
Townson
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Jennifer H
JH
Yearley
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Suzanne L
SL
Topalian
From the University of Washington Medical Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, N.J.M., E.M.S., M.M.S., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (P.T.N., S. Bhatia, S.P.F., L.L., J.A.T., M.A.C.), Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (S.P.F., L.L., M.A.C.), and Cancer Research and Biostatistics (A.M., L.R.S.) - all in Seattle; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore (E.J.L., S. Berry, D.M.P., W.H.S., J.C.S., J.M.T., S.L.T.), and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda. (E.S.) - both in Maryland; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta (R.R.K.); Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ (L.A., E.K.C., S.M.T., J.H.Y.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (A.D.), and Stanford University, Stanford (H.E.K., K.M., S.A.R.) - both in California; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York (P.A.F.); Yale University, New Haven, CT (H.M.K.); and Ohio State University, Columbus (T.O.).
Martin A
MA
Cheever
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012008:Recurrence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C105992:PDCD1 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; C582435:pembrolizumab