This is a Phase 1/2, multicenter, randomized, open-label umbrella platform study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational agents with or without pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy, for the treatment of participants with second line (2L) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who have previously been exposed to PD-1/PD-L1 based treatment.
Phase 1 trials primarily test safety and dosing in a small number of participants (typically 20–100). Results do not yet speak to efficacy. FDA approval is typically many years away from this stage.
Phase 2 trials begin testing efficacy in a larger patient group (100–300). This is often where biotech binary events occur — positive Phase 2 data can significantly advance a company's pipeline narrative, while failures can be terminal for a program.
Currently recruiting: the trial is enrolling patients. A data readout is not expected until after enrollment closes and the follow-up period is complete.
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.