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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1 / Phase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Substudy 06E: Umbrella Study of Combination Therapies in Esophageal Cancer (MK-3475-06E/KEYMAKER-U06)

A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of Investigational Agents in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Chemotherapy in Participants With 1L Locally Advanced Unresectable/Metastatic Esophageal Cancer: KEYMAKER-U06 Substudy 06E

Substudy 06E: Umbrella Study of Combination Therapies in Esophageal Cancer (MK-3475-06E/KEYMAKER-U06) (NCT06780111) is a Phase 1 / Phase 2 interventional studying Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Researchers are looking for new ways to treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). ESCC is a type of cancer that starts in certain cells that line the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This study will look at ESCC that is either locally advanced unresectable, which means it has spread into tissue near where it started and cannot be completely removed by surgery, or metastatic, which means it has spread to other body parts. Available treatments for these types of ESCC include pembrolizumab and chemotherapy. Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy, which is a treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer. Chemotherapy is medicine that destroys cancer cells or stops them from growing. Researchers want to learn about giving pembrolizumab and investigational agents, with or without chemotherapy to treat ESCC. Ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). An ADC attaches to a protein on cancer cells and delivers treatment to destroy those cells. The main goal of this study is to learn about the safety of investigational agents and pembrolizumab with or without chemotherapy and if people tolerate them. Researchers also want to learn how cancer responds (gets smaller or goes away) to the study treatments.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 298 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Inclusion Criteria The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following: - Has diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) diagnosis of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in first-line (1L) setting. - Has tumors that can be measured on scans 1.1 as assessed by the local site. investigator or designee/radiology assessment and verified by BICR. Lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been shown in such lesions. - Has AEs due to previous anticancer therapies of ≤Grade 1 or baseline (except alopecia and vitiligo). Endocrine-related AEs adequately treated with hormone replacement are acceptable. - Human weakened immune system virus (HIV)-infected participants must have well controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART). - Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1. - Has your organs (liver, kidneys, etc.) are working well enough based on blood tests. Exclusion Criteria The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following: - Has had systemic anticancer therapy for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic esophageal cancer. - Has tumor invasion into organs located adjacent to the esophageal disease site (eg, aorta or respiratory tract) at an increased risk of fistula. - Has uncontrollable pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or ascites requiring frequent drainage or medical intervention. - Has clinically significant corneal disease, history of documented severe dry eye syndrome, severe Meibomian gland disease and/or blepharitis, or severe corneal disease that prevents/delays corneal healing. - HIV-infected participants with a history of Kaposi's sarcoma and/or Multicentric Castleman's Disease. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following: * Has histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in first-line (1L) setting. * Has measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by the local site. investigator or designee/radiology assessment and verified by BICR. Lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been shown in such lesions. * Has AEs due to previous anticancer therapies of ≤Grade 1 or baseline (except alopecia and vitiligo). Endocrine-related AEs adequately treated with hormone replacement are acceptable. * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected participants must have well controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART). * Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1. * Has adequate organ function. Exclusion Criteria The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following: * Has had systemic anticancer therapy for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic esophageal cancer. * Has tumor invasion into organs located adjacent to the esophageal disease site (eg, aorta or respiratory tract) at an increased risk of fistula. * Has uncontrollable pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or ascites requiring frequent drainage or medical intervention. * Has clinically significant corneal disease, history of documented severe dry eye syndrome, severe Meibomian gland disease and/or blepharitis, or severe corneal disease that prevents/delays corneal healing. * HIV-infected participants with a history of Kaposi's sarcoma and/or Multicentric Castleman's Disease. * Has received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1), anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), or anti-programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2) agent, or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or coinhibitory T-cell receptor. * Has received prior systemic anticancer therapy including investigational agents within 4 weeks before the first dose of study intervention. * Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention, or has radiation-related toxicities, requiring corticosteroids. * Has received a live or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study intervention. Administration of killed vaccines is allowed. * Has inadequate cardiac function assessed as: - corrected QT interval by Fredericia (QTcF) value \>470 msec. * Has clinically significant cardiovascular disease within 6 months from first dose of study intervention, including New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability. * Has peripheral neuropathy ≥ Grade 2. * Has 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 prior to the first dose of study intervention. * Has known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years. * Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. * Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years. * Has had (noninfectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease that required steroids or has current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease, and/or suspected interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis that cannot be ruled out by imaging at Screening. * Has active infection requiring systemic therapy. * Has clinically severe pulmonary compromise resulting from intercurrent pulmonary illnesses, including, but not limited to, any underlying pulmonary disorder.

Treatments Being Tested

BIOLOGICAL

Pembrolizumab

IV infusion

BIOLOGICAL

I-DXd

IV infusion

DRUG

Leucovorin

IV infusion

DRUG

Levoleucovorin

IV infusion

DRUG

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

IV Infusion

DRUG

Oxaliplatin

IV infusion

BIOLOGICAL

Sacituzumab tirumotecan

IV infusion

DRUG

Rescue Medication

Includes 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, NK-1 receptor antagonist, and corticosteroid for Arms 2, 3, and 4, and H1 receptor antagonist, H2 receptor antagonist, acetaminophen, and dexamethasone for Arm 5, administered per approved product label

Locations (20)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center ( Site 1904)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Liga Norte Riograndense Contra o Cancer ( Site 1301)
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceicao ( Site 1300)
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Clínica Puerto Montt ( Site 1406)
Port Montt, Los Lagos Region, Chile
FALP ( Site 1400)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
Centro de Oncología de Precisión ( Site 1402)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
Clínica UC San Carlos de Apoquindo ( Site 1403)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
Bradfordhill ( Site 1401)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, Chile
Bradford Hill Norte ( Site 1405)
Antofagasta, Chile
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University ( Site 9511)
Hefei, Anhui, China
Beijing Cancer Hospital ( Site 9500)
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University ( Site 9503)
Xiamen, Fujian, China
Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 9509)
Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Xuzhou Central Hospital ( Site 9512)
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University ( Site 9505)
Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
Masarykuv onkologicky ustav-Klinika komplexni onkologicke pece ( Site 9000)
Brno, Brno-mesto, Czechia
C.H.R.U. de Brest - Hopital Cavale Blanche ( Site 9104)
Brest, Finistere, France
CHU Lille - Institut Coeur Poumon ( Site 9100)
Lille, Nord, France
Pitie Salpetriere University Hospital ( Site 9102)
Paris, France
Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus - Medical Oncology ( Site 1806)
Dresden, Saxony, Germany

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06780111), the sponsor (Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06780111 clinical trial studying?

Researchers are looking for new ways to treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). ESCC is a type of cancer that starts in certain cells that line the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This study will look at ESCC that is either locally advanced unresectable, which means it has spread into tissue near where it started and cannot be completely removed by surgery, or metastatic, which means it has spread to other body parts. Available treatments for these types of ESCC include pembrolizumab and chemotherapy. Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy, wh… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06780111?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06780111?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06780111. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06780111. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.