Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate CancerPhase 3NCT04934722
Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Plus Enzalutamide Plus Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) Versus Placebo Plus Enzalutamide Plus ADT in Participants With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC) (MK-3475-991/KEYNOTE-991)-China Extension
A Phase 3 study testing Pembrolizumab, Enzalutamide and Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in people with Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer, run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 24 sites in China.
Trial summary
This study will assess the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab plus enzalutamide plus Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) versus placebo plus enzalutamide plus ADT in Chinese participants with mHSPC. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
- What is being tested?
- Pembrolizumab, Enzalutamide and Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 186 participants
- Where
- 24 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 25 May 2021to 10 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Phase 3
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
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Male participants with histologically- or cytologically-confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate without small cell histology
- Has metastatic disease assessed by investigator and verified by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) by either ≥2 bone lesions on bone scan and/or visceral disease by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI)
- Willing to maintain continuous Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) with a luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists or antagonists during study treatment or have a history of bilateral orchiectomy
- Has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 assessed within 10 days of randomization
- Participants receiving bone resorptive therapy (including, but not limited to, bisphosphonate or denosumab) must have been on stable doses prior to randomization
- Has adequate organ function
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- Has provided newly obtained core or excisional biopsy (obtained within 12 months of screening) from soft tissue not previously irradiated (samples from tumors progressing in a prior site of radiation are allowed). Participants with bone only or bone predominant disease may provide a bone biopsy sample
- Male participants must agree to the following during the intervention period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of study intervention: Refrain from donating sperm PLUS either be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse and agree to remain abstinent OR agree to use contraception, unless confirmed to be azoospermic
- Male participants must agree to use male condom when engaging in any activity that allows for passage of ejaculate to another person of any sex
Who cannot join
- Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment in the last 3 years
- Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years
- Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy
- Has undergone major surgery including local prostate intervention (excluding prostate biopsy) within 28 days prior to randomization and not recovered adequately from the toxicities and/or complications
- Has a gastrointestinal disorder affecting absorption or is unable to swallow tablets/capsules
- Has an active infection (including tuberculosis) requiring systemic therapy
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- Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or has current pneumonitis
- Has known active human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
- Has known or suspected central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
- Has a history of seizure or any condition that may predispose to seizure
- Has a history of loss of consciousness within 12 months of screening
- Has had myocardial infarction or uncontrolled angina within 6 months prior to randomization, or has New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure or a history of New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure
- Has hypotension (systolic blood pressure <86 millimeters of mercury [mmHg]) or uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure >170 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >105 mmHg) at the screening visit
- Has a history of clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias
- Has hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab and/or enzalutamide and/or any of their excipients
- Has received prior ADT as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer for >39 months in duration or within 9 months prior to randomization or with evidence of disease progression while receiving ADT
- Has had prior treatment with a next generation hormonal agent (eg, abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide)
- Has received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1), anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1), or anti-programmed cell death-ligand 2 (anti PD-L2) agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or coinhibitory T-cell receptor
- Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to randomization
- Has a "superscan" bone scan
- Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant
- Is expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of study treatment
- Has received any prior pharmacotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery for metastatic prostate cancer with the following exceptions:
- Up to 3 months of ADT or orchiectomy with or without concurrent first-generation antiandrogens, if patient was not treated with docetaxel
- May have 1 course of palliative radiation or surgical therapy to treat symptoms resulting from metastatic disease if it was administered at least 4 weeks prior to randomization
- For participants with low volume metastatic disease, may have 1 course of definitive radiotherapy if it was administered at least 4 weeks prior to randomization
- Up to 6 cycles of docetaxel therapy with final treatment administration completed within 2 months of randomization and no evidence of disease progression. In these participants up to 6 months of ADT permitted
Trial locations and contacts
24 sites in 1 country.
24 sites in 1 country
China24 sites
Peking University First Hospital ( Site 0800)
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100034
Beijing Cancer Hospital ( Site 0802)
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100142
Hunan Cancer Hospital ( Site 0817)
Changsha, Hunan, 410013
Chongqing Cancer Hospital ( Site 0815)
Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 400030
Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center ( Site 0825)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060
The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University-Urology ( Site 0638)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hospital (Site # 0819)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510220
Southern Medical University Nanfang Hospital ( Site 0838)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515
2nd Affil Hosp of Zhejiang University College of Medicine ( Site 0808)
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009
The 1st Affil Hosp of College of Medicine, Zhejiang Univ ( Site 0830)
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009
Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital ( Site 0809)
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014
Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital ( Site 0822)
Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081
The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University ( Site 0821)
Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006
Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital ( Site 0811)
Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008
Ningbo First Hospital-Urology (0835)
Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010
Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine ( Site 0807 )
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200127
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital ( Site 0804 )
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300000
The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University ( Site 0834)
Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000
Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology ( Site 0829)
Wuhan, Hubei, 430000
Hubei Cancer Hospital ( Site 0833)
Wuhan, Hubei, 430079
The Second Affiliated Hosp of Xi'an Jiaotong Univ College of Medicine ( Site 0831)
Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710004
The first affiliated Hospital of Xi an Jiaotong University ( Site # 0812)
Xi’an, Shanxi, 710061
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University (Site 0816)
Xiamen, Fujian, 361000
Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 0818)
Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008
About this study
Official title: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind Trial of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Plus Enzalutamide Plus ADT Versus Placebo Plus Enzalutamide Plus ADT in Participants With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC) (KEYNOTE-991)
This study will assess the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab plus enzalutamide plus Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) versus placebo plus enzalutamide plus ADT in Chinese participants with mHSPC. The primary hypothesis is that in participants with mHSPC, the combination of pembrolizumab plus enzalutamide plus ADT is superior to placebo plus enzalutamide plus ADT with respect to 1) radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) per Prostate Cancer Working Group (PCWG)-modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) and 2) overall survival (OS). As of Amendment 4, the study is being stopped for futility. All the prespecified interim analysis after interim analysis (IA1) and final analysis of the study described in the statistical analysis plan (SAP) will not be performed. Safety analysis will be performed at the end of the study; there will be no further analyses for efficacy and electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) endpoints collected from participants beyond the IA1 cutoff date. All study participants will stop ongoing treatment with pembrolizumab/placebo. Exceptions may be requested for study participants who, in the assessment of their study physician, are benefitting from the combination of enzalutamide and pembrolizumab, after consulting with the Sponsor. All other study participants should be discontinued from study and be offered standard of care (SOC) treatment as deemed necessary by the Investigator. If enzalutamide as SOC is not accessible off study to the participant, central sourcing may continue. As of Amendment 04, disease progression will no longer be centrally verified, participants will only be assessed locally. As of Amendment 4, Second Course treatment is not an option for participants. There are currently no participants in the Second Course Phase.
Read the detailed description
The China extension study will include participants previously enrolled in China in the global study for MK-3475-991 (NCT04191096) plus those enrolled during the China extension enrollment period. A total of approximately 186 Chinese participants will be enrolled.
- Being tested
- Pembrolizumab, Enzalutamide, Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), Placebo
- Keywords
- Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD1, PD-1),, Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL1, PD-L1)
- 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.
PembrolizumabBiological
Also called KEYTRUDA®, MK-3475
Pembrolizumab is administered as an IV infusion at 200 mg on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 35 cycles.
EnzalutamideDrug
Also called XTANDI®
Enzalutamide is administered orally as capsules/tablets at a dosage of 160 mg daily. Enzalutamide is administered continuously until criteria for discontinuation are met.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)Drug
Stable regimen of ADT (LHRH agonist or antagonist) at a dose and frequency of administration that is consistent with the local product label.
PlaceboOther
Placebo infusion solution is administered as an IV infusion on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 35 cycles.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Pembrolizumab + Enzalutamide + ADT | Experimental | Starting on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle, participants receive 200 mg pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) every 3 weeks (q3w) for up to 35 cycles (approximately 2 years), plus 160 mg enzalutamide taken orally once daily, while maintaining continuous ADT with a luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist or antagonist during study treatment. Participants will continue to receive enzalutamide and ADT until criteria for discontinuation are met. Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Enzalutamide; Drug: Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) |
| Placebo + Enzalutamide + ADT | Placebo comparator | Starting on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle, participants receive placebo IV q3w for up to 35 cycles (approximately 2 years), plus 160 mg enzalutamide taken orally once daily, while maintaining continuous ADT with a LHRH agonist or antagonist during study treatment. Participants will continue to receive enzalutamide and ADT until criteria for discontinuation are met. Receives: Drug: Enzalutamide; Drug: Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT); Other: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Radiographic Progression-free Survival (rPFS) Per Prostate Cancer Working Group (PCWG)-Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)
rPFS was defined as the time from randomization to occurrence of: radiological tumor progression using RECIST 1.1 as assessed by BICR; progression of bone lesions using PCWG criteria; or death due to any cause. Progression as per modified RECIST 1.1 was ≥20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions and progression of existing non-target lesions. Progression of bone lesions by PCWG criteria was the appearance of ≥2 new bone lesions on bone scan, that have been confirmed to not represent tumor flare, and was persistent for ≥6 weeks. The rPFS was calculated using the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data. Participants without a rPFS event were censored at the date of last disease assessment.
Measured: Up to approximately 17 months
Overall Survival (OS)
OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. The OS was calculated using the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data. Participants without documented death at the time of the analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up.
Measured: Up to approximately 17 months
Secondary outcomes (12)
Time to Initiation of the First Subsequent Anti-cancer Therapy or Death (TFST)
TFST was defined as the time from randomization to initiation of the first subsequent anti-cancer therapy or death; whichever occurred first. The TFST was calculated using the product limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data. Participants without documented event at time of analysis will be censored at the date of last known time to have not received subsequent new anti-cancer therapy.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 months
Time to First Symptomatic Skeletal-related Event (TTSSRE)
TTSSRE was the time from randomization to the first symptomatic skeletal-related event defined as: use of external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to prevent or relieve skeletal symptoms, occurrence of new symptomatic pathologic bone fracture (vertebral or nonvertebral), occurrence of spinal cord compression, or tumor-related orthopedic surgical intervention, whichever occurs first. The TTSSRE was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method for censored data. Participants without symptomatic skeletal-related events were censored at the last evaluable assessment.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 months
Time to Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Progression
Time to PSA progression was the time from randomization to PSA progression. The PSA progression date was defined as the date of 1) ≥25% increase and ≥2 ng/mL above the nadir, confirmed by a second value ≥3 weeks later if there is PSA decline from baseline, or 2) ≥25% increase and ≥2 ng/mL increase from baseline beyond 12 weeks if there is no PSA decline from baseline. Time to PSA was calculated using Kaplan-Meier method for censored data. Participants without PSA progression were censored at the last PSA date.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 months
Time to Radiographic Soft Tissue Progression Per Soft Tissue Rules of PCWG-Modified RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR
The time to radiographic soft tissue progression was defined as the time from randomization to radiographic soft tissue progression per soft tissue rules of PCWG-modified RECIST 1.1 as assessed by BICR. Progression was defined as ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also have demonstrated an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered progression. Time to radiographic soft tissue progression was calculated using the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data. Participants without radiographic soft tissue progression were censored at the last evaluable assessment.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 months
Time to Pain Progression (TTPP) as Assessed by Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) Item #3 ("Worst Pain in 24 Hours") and Opiate Use
TTPP was defined as the time from randomization to pain progression as determined by Item 3 of the BPI-SF. Pain progression was defined as: 1) For participants asymptomatic at baseline: a >2-point change from baseline in the average BPI-SF item 3 score at 2 consecutive visits or initiation of opioid use for pain 2) For participants symptomatic at baseline (average BPI-SF Item 3 score >0 and/or currently taking opioids; a >2-point change from baseline in the average BPI-SF Item 3 score and the average worst pain score >4 and no decrease in average opioid use. TTPP was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method for censored data. Participants who had > 2 consecutive visits that were not evaluable for pain progression were censored at the last evaluable assessment.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 months
Time From Randomization to Disease Progression as Determined by Investigator Assessment After Next-line of Therapy or Death From Any Cause, Whichever Occurs First (PFS2)
PFS2 was defined as the time from randomization to disease progression as determined by investigator assessment of radiological or clinical progression after next-line of therapy or death from any cause, whichever occurs first.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 months
Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Response Rate
PSA response rate was the percentage of participants who had PSA response defined as a reduction in the PSA level from baseline by >50%. The reduction in PSA level was confirmed by an additional PSA evaluation performed >3 weeks from the original response.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 Months
Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Undetectable
PSA undetectable rate was defined as the percentage of participants with detectable PSA (> 0.2 ng/mL) at baseline, which becomes undetectable (< 0.2 ng/mL) during study treatment.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 Months
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per PCWG-Modified RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR
ORR was defined as the percentage of participants with complete response (CR: disappearance of all target lesions per RECIST 1.1; and no evidence of disease (NED) on base scan per PCWG) or partial response (PR: at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions per RECIST 1.1; and non-progressive disease, non-evaluable [NE], or NED on bone scan or CR with non-progressive disease or NE bone scan per PCWG).
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 Months
Duration of Response (DOR) Per PCWG- Modified RECIST 1.1 as Assessed by BICR
DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) per PCWG and RECIST 1.1 criteria until progressive disease (PD) or death. PD per RECIST 1.1 was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of a least 5 mm. PD per PCWG was the appearance of >2 new bone lesions on bone scan, that have been confirmed to not represent tumor flare, and were persistent for >6 weeks. The DOR was calculated using the product-limit (Kaplan-Meier) method for censored data.
Measured: Up to Approximately 17 Months
Number of Participants Who Experience an Adverse Event (AE)
An adverse event (AE) was defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it was considered related to the medical treatment or procedure, that occurred during the course of the study. Number of participants who experienced one or more AEs were reported.
Measured: Up to approximately 50 months
Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to an Adverse Event (AE)
An AE was defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it was considered related to the medical treatment or procedure, that occurred during the course of the study. Number of participants who discontinued study intervention (includes any study medication given during the study) due to an AE were reported.
Measured: Up to approximately 49 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jun 2021
- Study start25 May 2021
- Primary completion31 Oct 2022
- Study completion10 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLCThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 186 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Medical Director, Study director, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04934722
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 3475-991 China Extension
- Other IDs
- MK-3475-991 China Extension, KEYNOTE-991, jRCT2080225171
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2021
- Last updated
- 2 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf