RecruitingPhase 2NCT02479698
Oncology
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Also known as MCC, Merkel cell polyomavirus carcinoma, trabecular carcinoma of the skin
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but highly aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma with two distinct molecular aetiologies: integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA into the host genome, accounting for approximately
ORPHA:49643 ↗Gene MCPyV (viral)Gene RB1Gene TP53Prevalence 0.6–0.7 in 100,000 (USA); rising incidenceOnset Elderly (median age 75); immunosuppressed patients may present youngerSporadic; risk markedly elevated in immunosuppression
36
studies recruiting now
as of 7 Sept 2026
159
studies registered in total
as of 7 Sept 2026
4
countries with a recruiting site
as of 7 Sept 2026
11 Aug 2025
most recent study posted
among recruiting studies
Recruiting trials
RecruitingNCT02471352
Studies of Dermatologic Diseases Biospecimen Acquisition Protocol
RecruitingPhase 1 / Phase 2NCT05896839
Immunotherapy in Combination With Prednisone and Sirolimus for Kidney Transplant Recipients With Unresectable or Metastatic Skin Cancer
RecruitingPhase 1 / Phase 2NCT05269381
Personalized Neoantigen Peptide-Based Vaccine in Combination With Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors
RecruitingPhase 1 / Phase 2NCT07115043
A Study to Investigate Safety of AZD6750 in Adult Participants With Select Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
Showing the 5 most recently updated recruiting studies, as recorded 7 Sept 2026. Live status on each study page.
See all 36 recruiting studiesWhere recruiting studies are running
Countries with at least one recruiting site among the studies above, 7 Sept 2026. Tap a country to search trials there.
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About Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but highly aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma with two distinct molecular aetiologies: integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA into the host genome, accounting for approximately 80% of cases in immunocompetent patients in low-UV climates, and UV-induced somatic mutational burden in virus-negative tumours. MCC carries a disease-specific mortality of approximately 33% and a high propensity for regional lymph node and distant metastasis; however, the tumour is exquisitely immunogenic, making it one of the most responsive solid tumours to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Immunosuppression — whether from organ transplant, HIV, or haematological malignancy — dramatically increases incidence and worsens outcomes.
Common clinical features
Rapidly growing, firm, flesh-coloured or violaceous, shiny nodule on sun-exposed skin of the head, neck, or extremitiesRegional lymphadenopathy at presentation in 20–30% of patientsUlceration of the primary tumour in advanced or neglected lesionsDistant metastases to liver, lung, bone, and brain in stage IV diseaseCutaneous satellite or in-transit metastases between the primary site and draining lymph node basinParaneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis (anti-Ma, anti-amphiphysin antibodies) in rare casesRapid recurrence at or near the primary site after excision, particularly in virus-negative tumours
From Orphanet’s phenotype annotations (CC BY 4.0). Not a complete list.
Treatments being studied
2 approved treatments and 31 in clinical development, from Open Targets (CC BY 4.0). Not medical advice.
Approved: Avelumab (Bavencio)Approved: Retifanlimab (Zynyz)
Phase 3Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
Phase 3Seviprotimut-L
Phase 2Lanreotide (Somatuline autogel)
Phase 2Suratadenoturev (Telomelysin)
Phase 2Cisplatin (Cisplatin)
Phase 2Domatinostat
Phase 2Tavokinogene Telseplasmid (Immunopulse il-12)
Phase 2Nogapendekin Alfa
+ 23 more in development
Before you apply
Things trial teams commonly ask about for Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Not eligibility rules; those are set by each study.
- MCPyV serology (Merkel cell polyomavirus antibody titre) and tumour MCPyV status by IHC or PCR are increasingly used as eligibility or stratification factors — obtain this data from the pathology report or arrange testing.
- Immunosuppression management is critical: transplant patients may need immunosuppression reduction before or during checkpoint inhibitor trials, requiring co-ordination with transplant medicine.
- PD-L1 expression testing and tumour mutational burden (TMB) may be required for some checkpoint inhibitor combination trials; ensure comprehensive molecular profiling is available.
Related conditions
Information, not medical advice. Trial listings are shown as recorded on ClinicalTrials.gov; whether any study is right for you is a decision for you and your clinicians, and eligibility is decided by each research team. Disease information from Orphanet (CC BY 4.0).