A Single-arm Phase II Trial of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT; MK-2870) as Second-line Treatment for Advanced/Metastatic Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: PERSEUS TRIAL (LACOG 1924)
A Single-arm Phase II Trial of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT; MK-2870) as Second-line Treatment for Advanced/Metastatic Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: PERSEUS TRIAL (LACOG 1924)
This is a single-arm, Phase 2 clinical trial (PERSEUS TRIAL / LACOG 1924) evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT; MK-2870) as a second-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic penile cancer. Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare and aggressive cancer with limited treatment options once disease progression occurs after initial platinum-based chemotherapy. Sacituzumab tirumotecan is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to target TROP-2, a protein frequently expressed at high levels on penile cancer cells. By binding to TROP-2, sac-TMT delivers a anti-cancer payload directly to the tumor cells. All participants in this trial will receive sacituzumab tirumotecan administered via intravenous (IV) infusion every 2 weeks. The main goal of this study is to determine the percentage of patients whose tumors shrink or disappear after receiving sacituzumab tirumotecan (Objective Response Rate).
Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) represents a significant unmet medical need, particularly in low- and middle-income regions where the incidence is higher. For patients with disease recurrence or metastasis following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, standard second-line therapeutic options offer poor response rates and a dismal median overall survival of 4 to 5 months. Recent findings show that over 80% of PSCC cases express high levels of TROP-2, making it a key therapeutic target. Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT; MK-2870) is a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a humanized anti-TROP2 monoclonal antibody linked to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload (KL610023). Study Design & Intervention: This is an open-label, multicenter, single-arm Phase 2 trial enrolling 37 adult patients with advanced/metastatic PSCC who experienced disease progression on or after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Participants receive sacituzumab tirumotecan at a dose of 4 mg/kg via intravenous (IV) infusion on Days 1 and 15 of every 28-day cycle for up to 8 cycles, or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal.
Primary Endpoint: Objective Response Rate (ORR), defined as the proportion of participants achieving a confirmed Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR) assessed by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 criteria. Secondary Endpoints:Independent Central Review Objective Response Rate (ORR-ICR) Disease Control Rate (DCR) and Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR at 24 weeks) Duration of Response (DoR) Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) Safety and toxicity profile (evaluated via CTCAE v5.0) Treatment compliance and post-progression therapies Exploratory Research: Assessment of baseline tumor TROP-2 expression, HPV16 status, ctDNA dynamics, and molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance. Statistical Design: The trial utilizes Simon's two-stage Minimax design (18 participants accrued in Stage 1, expanding to 33 total evaluable participants if $\ge5$ responses are observed). Accounting for a 10% drop-out rate, a total of 37 participants will be enrolled.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
lacog1924@lacog.group+55 (51) 3384.5334
laura.voelcker@lacog.group+55 (51) 3384.5334
Fortaleza, Ceará 60135-237, Brazil
monique.macielc@rededor.com.br+558586865028
Salvador, Estado de Bahia 40050-410, Brazil
Recife, Pernambuco 52011-000, Brazil
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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