Limited-stage Small-cell Lung CancerPhase 2MERLINNCT07242547
Study of Tarlatamab as Maintenance Treatment After Chemo-radiotherapy for Limited Stage SCLC Patients
A Phase 2 study testing Tarlatamab in people with Limited-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer and Carcinoma, Small Cell Lung, run by Fundación GECP at 20 sites in Spain.
Trial summary
This is an open-label, phase II, exploratory and multi-centre clinical trial. 37 Limited stage SCLC patients not eligible for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy will be enroll. Patients will be enrolled in the trial after receiving sequential chemo-radiotherapy, if there is no progression disease, patients will be treated… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Limited-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer, Carcinoma, Small Cell Lung, Respiratory Tract Neoplasms
- What is being tested?
- Tarlatamab
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 37 participants
- Where
- 20 sitesSpain
- Study dates
- 20 May 2026to 1 Jun 2030
- Phase
- Phase 2
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
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Histologically or cytologically documented new diagnosis of LS-SCLC by histology or cytology from brushing, washing, or needle aspiration. Mixed tumors are not eligible.
- Patients who:
- were treated with sequential chemo-radiotherapy
- were treated only with chemotherapy
- Have at least one lesion that meets criteria for being measurable or non-measurable, as defined by RECIST 1.1.
- Has completed chemo-radiation or chemotherapy alone without progression of disease per RECIST v1.1
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- Be male or female ≥18 years of age inclusive, on the day of signing informed consent.
- Have a life expectancy of at least 3 months from the study start.
- Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 2 within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention.
- Toxicities attributed to chemo-radiotherapy treatment have to be resolved to grade ≤1, unless otherwise specified.
- No clinically significant electrocardiogram (ECG) findings
- Correct pulmonary function without oxygen supplementation
- Have voluntarily agreed to participate by giving written consent for the study prior to any specific protocol procedures.
- Have adequate organ function (hematological and biochemistry parameters).
Who cannot join
- Patients expected to require any other form of radiation therapy for LS-SCLC as concurrent radiotherapy.
- Extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC) or any previous diagnosis of transformed non-small cell lung cancer. Mixed tumors (SCLC-NSCLC) are not eligible.
- Has known history of, or active, neurologic paraneoplastic syndrome of autoimmune nature.
- Has had major surgery within 4 weeks prior to first dose of study interventions.
- Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention.
- Has known history of a second malignancy other than SCLC, unless potentially curative treatment has been completed with no evidence of malignancy for at least 3 years since the initiation of that therapy.
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- Uncontrolled intercurrent active infection at the time of enrollment requiring systemic therapy.
- Evidence of interstitial lung disease or active, non-infectious pneumonitis.
- History of solid organ transplantation.
- Myocardial infarction and/or symptomatic congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association >class II) within 6 months prior to first dose of study treatment.
- Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
- Has a known history of Hepatitis B or known active Hepatitis C virus infection.
- Has a known history of active tuberculosis.
- Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
- Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.
- Has serious nonhealing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture within 28 days before first dose of study intervention.
- Female subjects of childbearing potential unwilling to use protocol specified method of contraception during treatment and for an additional 60 days after the last dose of study treatment.
- Female subjects who are breastfeeding or who plan to breastfeed while on study through 60 days after the last dose of study treatment.
- Female subjects planning to become pregnant or donate eggs while on study through 60 days after the last dose of study treatment.
- Female subjects of childbearing potential with a positive pregnancy test assessed at screening by a highly sensitive serum pregnancy test.
- Male subjects with a female partner of childbearing potential who are unwilling to practice sexual abstinence or use contraception during treatment and for an additional 60 days after the last dose of study treatment.
- Male subjects with a pregnant partner who are unwilling to practice abstinence or use a condom during treatment and for an additional 60 days after the last dose of study treatment.
- Subject has known sensitivity to any of the products or components to be administered during dosing.
Trial locations and contacts
20 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
20 sites in 1 country
Spain20 sites, 20 recruiting
- Recruiting
Hospital General Universitario de Albacete
Albacete, Albacete, 02006
Blanca Riesco, MD
Blanca Riesco, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis de Alicante
Alicante, Alicante, 03010
Juan Luís Martí, MD
Juan Luís Martí, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025
Andrés Barba, MD
Andrés Barba, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
Barcelona, Barcelona, 08035
Pedro Rocha, MD
Pedro Rocha, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036
Laura Mezquita, MD
Laura Mezquita, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital de Basurto
Bilbao, Bizkaia, 48013
María Ángeles Sala, MD
María Ángeles Sala, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital General Universitario de Elche
Elche, Alicante, 03203
Javier David Benitez, MD
Javier David Benitez, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Universitario de Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, 11407
Leo Tallafigo, MD
Leo Tallafigo, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti
Lugo, Lugo, 27003
Begoña Campos, MD
Begoña Campos
- Recruiting
Hospital Clínico San Carlos
Madrid, Madrid, 28040
Carlos Aguado, MD
Carlos Aguado, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz
Madrid, Madrid, 28040
Manuel Dómine, MD
Manuel Dómine, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
Madrid, Madrid, 28222
Mariano Provencio, MD
Mariano Provencio, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Regional de Málaga
Málaga, Málaga, 29010
Airam Padilla, MD
Airam Padilla, MD
- Recruiting
Fundació Althaia
Manresa, Barcelona, 08243
Silvia Catot, MD
Silvia Catot, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Santa Maria Mai - Complexo Hospitalario Universitario Ourense
Ourense, Ourense, 32005
Karmele Areses, MD
Karmele Areses, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Son Espases
Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, 07120
Raquel Marsé, MD
Raquel Marsé, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Son Llàtzer
Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, 07198
Juan Coves, MD
Juan Coves, MD
- Recruiting
Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra
Pamplona, Navarre, 31008
Maite Martínez, MD
Maite Martínez, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, 38010
Karla Medina, MD
Karla Medina, MD
- Recruiting
Hospital General Universitario de Valencia
Valencia, Valencia, 46014
Paula Espinosa, MD
Paula Espinosa, MD
About this study
Official title: A Phase II Clinical Trial of Tarlatamab as Maintenance Treatment After Sequential Chemo-radiotherapy for Limited Stage SCLC Patients Not Eligible for Concurrent Chemo-radiotherapy
This is an open-label, phase II, exploratory and multi-centre clinical trial. 37 Limited stage SCLC patients not eligible for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy will be enroll.
Patients will be enrolled in the trial after receiving sequential chemo-radiotherapy, if there is no progression disease, patients will be treated with maintenance Tarlatamab.
Read more
Patients will receive maintenance with Tarlatamab IV until disease progression unacceptable toxicity, patient or physician decision to discontinue or death.
The primary objective is to evaluate the Progression free survival (PFS).
Patient accrual is expected to be completed within 2 years. Treatment and follow-up are expected to extend the study duration to a total of 5 years. Patients will be followed for 2 years after enrollment. The study will end once survival follow-up has concluded.
Read the detailed description
The study MERLIN is a phase II clinical trial intending to enroll 37 patients, who will receive will receive Tarlatamab as maintenance treatment.
This is an open-label, phase II, exploratory and multi-centre clinical trial. Limited stage SCLC patients not eligible for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy will be selected.
Patients will be enrolled in the trial after receiving sequential chemo-radiotherapy, if there is no progression disease, patients will be treated with maintenance Tarlatamab.
Patients will receive maintenance with Tarlatamab IV until disease progression unacceptable toxicity, patient or physician decision to discontinue or death.
For all patients, tumor response data collection will continue until disease progression, even if the patient stops study treatment prior to disease progression.
Patients who still benefit from the drug treatment at the end of the study or at early termination of the clinical trial, will continue receiving the drug until progression disease.
The primary objective is to evaluate the Progression free survival (PFS) in the intent-to-treat population. Progression free survival (PFS) defined as the time from enrollment to the date of the first documentation of disease progression according to RECIST 1.1 or death from any cause, whichever is earlier
Patient accrual is expected to be completed within 2 years. Treatment and follow-up are expected to extend the study duration to a total of 5 years. Patients will be followed for 2 years after enrollment. The study will end once survival follow-up has concluded.
- Conditions
- Limited-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer, Carcinoma, Small Cell Lung, Respiratory Tract Neoplasms, Thoracic Neoplasms
- Being tested
- Tarlatamab
- Keywords
- Non small cell lung cancer, Tarlatamab, Maintenance treatment, Antineoplastic Agents, Chemo-radiotherapy, Immunotherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Respiratory Tract Neoplasms, Thoracic Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
TarlatamabDrug
Also called Imdelltra
Patients will be enrolled in the trial after receiving sequential chemo-radiotherapy, if there is no progression disease, patients will receive tarlatamab maintenance treatment.
Patients will receive maintenance with tarlatamab IV until disease progression unacceptable toxicity, patient or physician decision to discontinue or death.
Patients who still benefit from the drug treatment at the end of the study or at early termination of the clinical trial, will continue receiving the drug until progression disease.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Maintenance treatment | Experimental | Patients will be enrolled in the trial after receiving sequential chemo-radiotherapy, if there is no progression disease, patients will receive tarlatamab maintenance treatment.
Patients will receive maintenance with Tarlatamab IV until disease progression unacceptable toxicity, patient or physician decision to discontinue or death. Receives: Drug: Tarlatamab |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Progression-free survival
Efficacy of Tarlatamab as maintenance treatment assessed by progression free survival Progression-free survival, defined as the time from enrollment to the date of the first documentation of disease progression according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.1) or death from any cause, whichever is earlier. Progression is defined using RECIST v1.1, as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, or a measurable increase in a non-target lesion, or the appearance of new lesions.
Measured: From date of enrollment until the date of last follow up, assessed up to 24 months.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Objective response rate (ORR)
ORR: Describe the efficacy of Tarlatamab as maintenance treatment as assessed by objective response rate (ORR) Investigator-assessed ORR, defined as a confirmed complete response (CR) plus partial response (PR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1). According to RECIST 1.1, a complete response is the disappearance of all target lesions, and a partial response is defined as at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the target lesions.
Measured: From the date of enrollment to the date of last follow up, assessed up to 24 months
Overall Survival (OS)
OS at 6 months and 1 and 2 years, defined as the time from enrollment to the date of death from any cause
Measured: From the date of enrollment to 6 months, 1 and 2 years
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (Safety and Tolerability)
Occurrence and severity of adverse events, with severity determined by NCI CTCAE v5.0 criteria.
Measured: From the subject's written consent to participate in the study through 90 days after the final administration of the drug.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Nov 2025
- Study start20 May 2026
- Primary completion1 Jun 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jun 2030 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Limited-stage Small-cell Lung CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 37 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Fundación GECP
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Mariano Provencio, MD, Study chair, President of Grupo Español de Cáncer de Pulmón
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07242547
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- GECP 24/01_MERLIN
- Other IDs
- 2024-515201-26-00
- Acronym
- MERLIN
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 8 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No