Letermovir (MK-8228) Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Clinically-Significant Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Adult, CMV-Seropositive Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients (MK-8228-001)
Prevention of CMV Infection or Disease
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Prevention of CMV Infection or Disease
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Has documented seropositivity for CMV within 1 year before hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
- Receiving first allogeneic HSCT (bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell, or cord blood transplant)
- Female or male participant who is not of reproductive potential, or, if of reproductive potential, agrees to true abstinence or to use (or have their partner use) 2 acceptable methods of birth control from the time of consent through 90 days after the last dose of study drug
- Able to read, understand, and complete questionnaires and diaries
Exclusion Criteria:
- Received a previous allogeneic HSCT (previous autologous HSCT is acceptable)
- History of CMV end-organ disease within 6 months before randomization
- Has evidence of CMV viremia (if tested) at any time from either signing of the Informed Consent Form or the HSCT procedure, whichever is earlier, until the time of randomization.
- Received the following within 7 days before screening or plans to receive during the study: ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet, acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir
- Received the following within 30 days before screening or plan to receive during the study: cidofovir, CMV hyper-immune globulin, any investigational CMV antiviral agent or biological therapy
- Has suspected or known hypersensitivity to ingredients of MK-8228 (letermovir) formulations
- Has severe hepatic insufficiency within 5 days before randomization
- Has end-stage renal impairment
- Has an uncontrolled infection on the day of randomization
- Requires mechanical ventilation or is hemodynamically unstable at the time of randomization
- Has documented positive results for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody, hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody with detectable HCV ribonucleic acid, or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) within 90 days before randomization
- Has active solid tumor malignancies with the exception of localized basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or the condition under treatment (for example, lymphoma)
- Is pregnant or expecting to conceive, is breastfeeding, or plans to breastfeed from the time of consent through 90 days after the last dose of study drug
- Is expecting to donate eggs or sperm from the time of consent through 90 days after the last dose of study drug
- Has participated in a study with an unapproved investigational compound (monoclonal antibodies are excepted) or device within 28 days of the first dose of study drug
- Has previously participated in a MK-8228 (letermovir) study
- Has, is, or is planning (during the study) to participate in any study involving administration of a CMV vaccine or another CMV investigational agent
- Is a user of recreational or illicit drugs or has a recent history (<=1 year) of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Letermovir
Placebo
Letermovir oral or intravenous (IV) formulation was administered once daily for up to 14 weeks, beginning up to Day 28 days post-transplant. The dose was 240 mg once daily for participants receiving concomitant cyclosporin A and 480 mg once daily for participants not receiving cyclosporin A. Intravenous infusion was administered only to participants who are unable to swallow tablets or who have a condition that may interfere with absorption of the tablets.
Placebo oral or IV formulation was administered once daily for up to 14 weeks, beginning up to Day 28 post-transplant. The number of placebo tablets was to mimic that for letermovir administration according to the concomitant cyclosporin A status. Intravenous infusion was administered only to participants who are unable to swallow tablets or who have a condition that may interfere with absorption of the tablets.