Safety and Efficacy Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Combined With Lenvatinib (MK-7902/E7080) as First-line Intervention in Adults With Advance Melanoma (MK-7902-003/E7080-G000-312/LEAP-003)
A Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) Versus Pembrolizumab Alone as First-line Intervention in Participants With Advanced Melanoma (LEAP-003)
5 other identifiers
interventional
674
17 countries
117
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) combined with lenvatinib (MK-7902/E7080) compared to pembrolizumab alone (with placebo for lenvatinib) as first-line treatment in adults with no prior systemic therapy for their advanced melanoma. The primary study hypotheses are that: 1) The combination of pembrolizumab and lenvatinib is superior to pembrolizumab and placebo as assessed by Progression-free Survival (PFS) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), and 2) The combination of pembrolizumab and lenvatinib is superior to pembrolizumab and placebo as assessed by Overall Survival (OS). For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for phase_3
Started Mar 2019
Longer than P75 for phase_3
117 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
January 22, 2019
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
January 29, 2019
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
March 12, 2019
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
January 18, 2023
CompletedResults Posted
Study results publicly available
January 17, 2024
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
November 1, 2024
CompletedFebruary 9, 2026
January 1, 2026
3.9 years
January 22, 2019
December 21, 2023
January 21, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) Per Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)
PFS is defined as the time from date of randomization to the date of the first documentation of progressive disease (PD) or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Per RECIST 1.1, PD is defined as ≥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 ≥5 mm. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered PD. For this study, RECIST 1.1 has been modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ. The final analysis for this outcome is presented here.
Up to approximately 34 months
Overall Survival (OS)
OS is defined as the time from date of randomization to date of death from any cause. The final analysis for this outcome is presented here.
Up to approximately 46 months
Secondary Outcomes (8)
Objective Response Rate (ORR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1
Up to approximately 46 months
Duration of Response (DOR) as Assessed by BICR Per RECIST 1.1
Up to approximately 46 months
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)
Up to approximately 67 months
Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to Adverse Events (AEs)
Up to approximately 63 months
Change From Baseline in European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 [QLQ-C30] Global Health Status (GHS)/Quality of Life (QoL) Score
Baseline and Week 21
- +3 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Pembrolizumab+Lenvatinib
EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive pembrolizumab 200 mg via intravenous (IV) infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for up to 35 administrations (up to approximately 2 years) PLUS lenvatinib 20 mg via oral capsule daily for up to at least 2 years.
Pembrolizumab+Placebo
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants receive pembrolizumab 200 mg via IV infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for up to 35 administrations (up to approximately 2 years) PLUS placebo for lenvatinib via oral capsule daily for up to at least 2 years.
Interventions
IV infusion
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Has histologically or cytologically confirmed melanoma.
- Has unresectable Stage III or Stage IV melanoma, as per American Joint Committee on Cancer guidelines, not amenable to local therapy.
- Has been untreated for advanced or metastatic disease except as follows:
- Proto-oncogene B-Raf (BRAF) V600 mutation-positive melanoma may have received standard of care targeted therapy as first-line therapy for advanced or metastatic disease. Participants that do not have a BRAF V600 mutation but did receive BRAF or BRAF/mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 Inhibitor (MEKi) therapy are eligible to participate in this study after discussion with the medical monitor.
- Prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy, with targeted therapy or immunotherapy (such as anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 \[CTLA-4\], anti-programmed cell death 1 \[anti-PD-1\] therapy or interferon) will only be permitted if relapse did not occur during active treatment or within 6 months of treatment discontinuation.
- Have documentation of BRAF V600-activating mutation status or consent to BRAF V600 mutation testing during the Screening period (participants with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma as well as BRAF wild-type or unknown are eligible).
- Has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 to 1.
- Has the presence of ≥1 measurable lesion by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) per RECIST 1.1.
- Provides a tumor biopsy. Participants must submit tumor sample during Screening for confirmation of adequacy of tumor tissue at a central pathology laboratory. Participants who do not submit a tumor tissue sample will not be randomized. The tumor biopsy may not be obtained from a lone target lesion. Confirmation of presence of tumor tissue is not required prior to randomization.
- Has resolution of toxic effect(s) of the most recent prior therapy to Grade 1 or less (except alopecia). If participant received major surgery or radiation therapy of \>30 Gray (Gy), they must have recovered from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention.
- Male participants must agree to use contraception during the treatment period and for at least 7 days after the last dose of study treatment and refrain from donating sperm during this period. Please note that 7 days after lenvatinib/placebo is stopped, if the participant is on pembrolizumab only, no male contraception measures are needed. Contraception use by men should be consistent with local regulations regarding the methods of contraception for those participating in clinical studies. If the contraception requirements in the local label for any of the study interventions is more stringent than the requirements above, the local label requirements are to be followed.
- Female participants must not be pregnant, not breastfeeding, and ≥1 of the following conditions applies:
- Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP). OR
- A WOCBP who agrees to use study-approved contraception during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of study treatment.
- The participant (or legally acceptable representative) has provided documented informed consent for the study.
- +2 more criteria
You may not qualify if:
- Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days before the first dose of study treatment.
- Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment. Exceptions include early stage cancers (carcinoma in situ or Stage 1, non-ulcerated primary melanoma \<1 mm in depth with no nodal involvement) treated with curative intent, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ cervical cancer, or in situ breast cancer that has undergone potentially curative therapy.
- Has known active central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
- Has ocular melanoma.
- Has known hypersensitivity to active substances or any of their excipients including previous clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction to treatment with another monoclonal antibody.
- Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years (i.e., with use of disease-modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g. thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
- Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
- Has known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Has known history of or is positive for hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection.
- Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease that required steroids or has current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease.
- Has a history of active tuberculosis (Bacillus tuberculosis).
- Gastrointestinal malabsorption or any other condition that might affect the absorption of lenvatinib.
- Has had a major surgery within 3 weeks prior to first dose of study intervention. Note: Adequate wound healing after major surgery must be assessed clinically independent of time elapsed for eligibility.
- Has a preexisting Grade ≥3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula.
- Has radiographic evidence of encasement or invasion of major blood vessel, or of intratumoral cavitation.
- +14 more criteria
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLClead
- Eisai Inc.collaborator
Study Sites (119)
The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute ( Site 0707)
Los Angeles, California, 90025, United States
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center ( Site 0704)
San Francisco, California, 30322, United States
California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute ( Site 0705)
San Francisco, California, 94115, United States
John Wayne Cancer Institute ( Site 0706)
Santa Monica, California, 90404, United States
University of Colorado Cancer Center ( Site 0708)
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
Yale Cancer Center ( Site 0709)
New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center ( Site 0767)
Jacksonville, Florida, 32207, United States
Mid-Florida Cancer Centers ( Site 0764)
Orange City, Florida, 32763, United States
AMG Oncology ( Site 0714)
Park Ridge, Illinois, 60068, United States
Illinois Cancer Care, PC ( Site 0765)
Peoria, Illinois, 61615, United States
Minnesota Oncology Specialist, PA ( Site 0766)
Fridley, Minnesota, 55432, United States
St. Vincent Frontier Cancer Center ( Site 0724)
Billings, Montana, 59102, United States
Atlantic Health System ( Site 0768)
Morristown, New Jersey, 07960, United States
Valley Hospital ( Site 0749)
Paramus, New Jersey, 07652, United States
University of North Carolina - Cancer Hospital ( Site 0751)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, United States
OHSU Center for Health & Healing ( Site 0731)
Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
Inova Schar Cancer Institute ( Site 0739)
Fairfax, Virginia, 22031-4867, United States
Lismore Base Hospital ( Site 0453)
Lismore, Australian Capital Territory, 2480, Australia
Melanoma Institute Australia ( Site 0452)
North Sydney, New South Wales, 2060, Australia
Westmead Hospital ( Site 0451)
Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
Princess Alexandra Hospital ( Site 0454)
Wooloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
Eastern Health ( Site 0457)
Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, Australia
Fiona Stanley Hospital ( Site 0456)
Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
LKH Universitatsklinikum Graz ( Site 0776)
Graz, Styria, 8036, Austria
Medizinische Universitat Wien ( Site 0778)
Vienna, 1090, Austria
PERSONAL - Oncologia de Precisao e Personalizada ( Site 0399)
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-090, Brazil
Hospital de Caridade de Ijui ( Site 0391)
Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, 98700-000, Brazil
Hospital Sao Vicente de Paulo ( Site 0396)
Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, 99010-080, Brazil
Uniao Brasileira de Educacao e Assistencia Hospital Sao Lucas da Pucrs ( Site 0397)
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90610-000, Brazil
Instituto Nacional de Cancer Hospital do Cancer II ( Site 0394)
Rio de Janeiro, 20220-410, Brazil
BC Cancer-Kelowna - Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre ( Site 0661)
Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 5L3, Canada
Lions Gate Hospital ( Site 0662)
North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7L 2L7, Canada
Sunnybrook Research Institute ( Site 0654)
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
Centre Hospitalier de l Universite de Montreal - CHUM ( Site 0652)
Montreal, Quebec, H2W 3E4, Canada
McGill University Health Centre ( Site 0651)
Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez FALP ( Site 0421)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, 7500921, Chile
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile ( Site 0422)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, 8330024, Chile
Sociedad Medica Aren y Bachero Limitada ( Site 0426)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, 8420383, Chile
Centro Investigación del Cáncer James Lind ( Site 0425)
Temuco, Región de la Araucanía, 4780000, Chile
Oncocentro ( Site 0424)
Viña del Mar, Región de Valparaíso, 2520598, Chile
Beijing Cancer Hospital ( Site 0601)
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100036, China
Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital ( Site 0612)
Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, China
Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center ( Site 0602)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, China
Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 0610)
Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital ( Site 0609)
Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
The First Hospital Of Jilin University ( Site 0603)
Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China
Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center ( Site 0607)
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200032, China
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital ( Site 0606)
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300060, China
Yunnan Cancer Hospital ( Site 0604)
Kunming, Yunnan, 430030, China
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital ( Site 0605)
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310018, China
Zhejiang Cancer Hospital ( Site 0608)
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
Hopital ARCHET 2 ( Site 0009)
Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, 06200, France
Hopital La Timone ( Site 0002)
Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone, 13385, France
CHU Dijon Bourgogne ( Site 0010)
Dijon, Cote-d Or, 21079, France
Institut Claudius Regaud IUCT Oncopole ( Site 0003)
Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, 31059, France
Hopital Ambroise Pare Boulogne ( Site 0007)
Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, 92100, France
CHRU Lille - Hopital Claude Huriez ( Site 0004)
Lille, Nord, 59037, France
CHU de Rouen ( Site 0013)
Rouen, Seine-Maritime, 76000, France
Centre Hospitalier Victor Dupouy ( Site 0012)
Argenteuil, Val-d Oise, 95100, France
Institut Gustave Roussy ( Site 0001)
Villejuif, Val-de-Marne, 94805, France
CHU de la Miletrie Poitiers ( Site 0011)
Poitiers, Vienne, 86021, France
Klinik fur Dermatologie Allergologie und Venerologie ( Site 0035)
Hannover, Baden-Wurttemberg, 30625, Germany
Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen ( Site 0044)
Erlangen, Bavaria, 91054, Germany
Universitaetsklinikum Wuerzburg-Department of Dermatology ( Site 0036)
Würzburg, Bavaria, 97080, Germany
Hautkrebszentrum Buxtehude ( Site 0037)
Buxtehude, Lower Saxony, 21614, Germany
Universitaetsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus ( Site 0041)
Dresden, Saxony, 01307, Germany
Universitaetsklinikum Leipzig ( Site 0040)
Leipzig, Saxony, 04103, Germany
Universitaetsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel ( Site 0033)
Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, 24105, Germany
SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera GmbH ( Site 0042)
Gera, Thuringia, 07548, Germany
HaEmek Medical Center ( Site 0306)
Afula, 1834111, Israel
Soroka Medical Center ( Site 0303)
Beersheba, 8457108, Israel
Rambam Medical Center ( Site 0301)
Haifa, 3109601, Israel
Hadassah Ein Karem Hebrew University Medical Center ( Site 0305)
Jerusalem, 9112001, Israel
Rabin Medical Center ( Site 0302)
Petah Tikva, 4941492, Israel
Chaim Sheba Medical Center ( Site 0304)
Ramat Gan, 5262000, Israel
Sourasky Medical Center ( Site 0307)
Tel Aviv, 6423906, Israel
Shamir Medical Center-Assaf Harofeh ( Site 0308)
Ẕerifin, 70300, Israel
ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII ( Site 0062)
Bergamo, Abruzzo, 24127, Italy
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese ( Site 0065)
Siena, Tuscany, 53100, Italy
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano ( Site 0064)
Milan, 20133, Italy
Istituto Europeo di Oncologia ( Site 0067)
Milan, 20141, Italy
Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Pascale ( Site 0061)
Naples, 80131, Italy
Istituto Oncologico Veneto ( Site 0063)
Padua, 35128, Italy
Szpital Kliniczny im. Heliodora Swiecickiego Uniwers Medyczn ( Site 0272)
Poznan, Greater Poland Voivodeship, 60-780, Poland
Centrum Onkologii im.prof. F. Lukaszczyka w Bydgoszczy ( Site 0273)
Bydgoszcz, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, 85-796, Poland
Pratia MCM Krakow ( Site 0280)
Krakow, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, 30-510, Poland
Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne ( Site 0281)
Gdansk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, 80-214, Poland
Narodowy Instytut Onkologii - Oddzial w Gliwicach ( Site 0278)
Gliwice, Silesian Voivodeship, 44-102, Poland
Cancer Care Langenhoven Drive Oncology Centre ( Site 0805)
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, 6045, South Africa
Sandton Oncology Medical Group PTY LTD ( Site 0802)
Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2196, South Africa
Cape Town Oncology Trials Pty Ltd ( Site 0803)
Kraaifontein, Western Cape, 7570, South Africa
Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital ( Site 0553)
Daegu, Taegu-Kwangyokshi, 41404, South Korea
Seoul National University Hospital ( Site 0554)
Seoul, 03080, South Korea
Severance Hospital Yonsei University Health System ( Site 0552)
Seoul, 03722, South Korea
Samsung Medical Center ( Site 0551)
Seoul, 06351, South Korea
Hospital Duran i Reinals ICO de Hospitalet ( Site 0187)
Hospitalet Del Llobregat, Barcelona, 08908, Spain
Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla ( Site 0181)
Santander, Cantabria, 39008, Spain
Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruna. CHUAC ( Site 0182)
A Coruña, La Coruna, 15006, Spain
Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria ( Site 0189)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, 35001, Spain
Hospital Clinic i Provincial Barcelona ( Site 0190)
Barcelona, 08036, Spain
Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon ( Site 0191)
Madrid, 28009, Spain
Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal ( Site 0183)
Madrid, 28034, Spain
Hospital Universitario La Paz ( Site 0184)
Madrid, 28046, Spain
Hospital Universitario Carlos Haya ( Site 0186)
Málaga, 29010, Spain
Laenssjukhuset Ryhov ( Site 0215)
Jönköping, Jönköping County, 551 85, Sweden
Centrallasarettet Vaxjo ( Site 0214)
Vaxjo, Kronoberg County, 351 85, Sweden
Skanes Universitetssjukhus ( Site 0213)
Lund, Skåne County, 221 85, Sweden
Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset ( Site 0211)
Solna, Stockholm County, 171 64, Sweden
Akademiska Sjukhuset ( Site 0218)
Uppsala, Uppsala County, 751 85, Sweden
Norrlands Universitetssjukhus ( Site 0216)
Umeå, Västerbotten County, 901 85, Sweden
Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset ( Site 0212)
Gothenburg, Västra Götaland County, 413 45, Sweden
Universitaetsspital Basel ( Site 0094)
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, 4031, Switzerland
Kantonsspital Winterthur ( Site 0095)
Winterthur, Canton of Zurich, 8401, Switzerland
Universitaetsspital Zuerich ( Site 0092)
Zuerich-Flughafen, Canton of Zurich, 8058, Switzerland
Kantonsspital Graubuenden ( Site 0091)
Chur, Kanton Graubünden, 7000, Switzerland
Western General Hospital ( Site 0121)
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City of, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust ( Site 0126)
London, London, City of, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
Derriford Hospital ( Site 0129)
Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Singleton Hospital ( Site 0131)
Swansea, SA2 8QA, United Kingdom
Related Publications (1)
Arance A, Berciano-Guerrero MA, Guo J, Carlino MS, Ascierto PA, Burotto M, Mortier L, Queirolo P, Chiarion-Sileni V, Schachter J, Zhang X, Martin-Liberal J, Del Vecchio M, Okpara CE, Dutcus C, Zhang J, Diede SJ, Neff T, Long GV. Randomized, double-blind, phase III LEAP-003 study of first-line lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus placebo plus pembrolizumab for unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Ann Oncol. 2025 Dec;36(12):1535-1546. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2025.08.008. Epub 2025 Aug 28.
PMID: 40885529RESULT
Related Links
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Results Point of Contact
- Title
- Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Development
- Organization
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Study Officials
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Medical Director
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Publication Agreements
- PI is Sponsor Employee
- No
- Restriction Type
- OTHER
- Restrictive Agreement
- Yes
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 3
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- QUADRUPLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- INDUSTRY
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
January 22, 2019
First Posted
January 29, 2019
Study Start
March 12, 2019
Primary Completion
January 18, 2023
Study Completion
November 1, 2024
Last Updated
February 9, 2026
Results First Posted
January 17, 2024
Record last verified: 2026-01
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf