The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) plus pembrolizumab (MK-3475) plus chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone in participants with advanced/metastatic gastroesophageal cancer. The primary study hypotheses are that lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy is superior to chemotherapy alone for both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR), in participants with programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1 and in all participants.
Phase 3 trials are pivotal studies with large patient populations (hundreds to thousands) designed to prove efficacy and safety for FDA submission. A successful Phase 3 readout is typically the last major hurdle before a New Drug Application (NDA) or BLA filing.
Enrollment is complete. The trial is in its follow-up or data collection phase — a readout may occur on or near the primary completion date.
Merck & Co (MRK) is the sponsoring company for this trial. BiotechSign currently grades this company F (35/100) based on composite catalyst signals across its full pipeline. This trial is one data point in that overall catalyst picture.