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Monoclonal Antibodies

Pembrolizumab for Advanced Cancers

Phase 2
Waitlist Available
Led By Aung Naing
Research Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Have a performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scale
Have one of the specified advanced (unresectable and/or metastatic) solid tumor indications that has progressed following standard therapies, where standard therapies are available
Must not have
Has known history of, or any evidence of active, non-infectious pneumonitis
Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline and every 9 weeks thereafter. after 6 months, every 12 weeks at the physician's discretion, if patient has had cr, pr, or sd > 27 weeks, an average of 4 years.
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial looks at how well pembrolizumab works on patients with rare tumors that can't be removed or have spread. Monoclonal antibodies, like pembrolizumab, may block certain proteins to help control tumor growth.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for patients with rare, inoperable or metastatic tumors who've had previous treatments fail within 6 months. They must have measurable disease, be willing to use birth control and provide tissue samples. Excluded are those with active hepatitis B/C, CNS metastases (for certain cohorts), other cancer treatments ongoing, immunodeficiency issues, known pneumonitis or TB history.
What is being tested?
The study tests pembrolizumab's effectiveness on various advanced solid tumors that can't be surgically removed or have spread. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to block proteins on white blood cells to potentially boost the immune system against tumor growth.
What are the potential side effects?
Pembrolizumab may cause immune-related side effects such as inflammation of organs like lungs (pneumonitis) or intestines (colitis), liver problems (hepatitis), hormone gland issues (thyroid, adrenal glands), skin reactions, infusion-related reactions and fatigue.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am fully active or restricted in physically strenuous activity but can do light work.
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My advanced cancer has worsened after standard treatments.
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My scans show no brain metastases.
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I have a tumor that can be safely biopsied.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have a history of or currently have non-infectious lung inflammation.
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I am currently being treated for an infection.
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I have been treated for an autoimmune disease in the last 2 years.
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I have been treated with drugs targeting PD-1, PD-L1, or PD-L2.
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I have not received a live vaccine in the last 30 days.
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I am in cohort 10 and have a specific type of tumor.
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I have an immune system disorder or have been on steroids or other immune-weakening medicines in the last week.
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I have an active tuberculosis infection.
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I have active hepatitis B or C.
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I am not currently receiving any cancer treatment like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Select...
I have cancer that has spread to my brain or spinal cord.
Select...
I have another cancer that is getting worse or needs treatment.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline and every 9 weeks thereafter. after 6 months, every 12 weeks at the physician's discretion, if patient has had cr, pr, or sd > 27 weeks.
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline and every 9 weeks thereafter. after 6 months, every 12 weeks at the physician's discretion, if patient has had cr, pr, or sd > 27 weeks. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Non-progression Rate (NPR) at 27 Weeks by irRECIST
Secondary study objectives
Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR) Using RECIST v1.1
Evaluation of Tumor Size (Objective Response by irRECIST) to PD-L1 Status (CPS ≥1)
Immune-related Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR) Using irRECIST
+5 more
Other study objectives
Pseudoprogression

Side effects data

From 2024 Phase 3 trial • 804 Patients • NCT03040999
64%
Radiation skin injury
63%
Stomatitis
58%
Anaemia
56%
Nausea
48%
Dry mouth
45%
Constipation
45%
Weight decreased
44%
Dysphagia
42%
Neutrophil count decreased
33%
Dysgeusia
33%
Vomiting
32%
Fatigue
31%
White blood cell count decreased
28%
Hypomagnesaemia
26%
Decreased appetite
25%
Hypothyroidism
25%
Hypokalaemia
24%
Lymphocyte count decreased
24%
Platelet count decreased
23%
Oropharyngeal pain
23%
Blood creatinine increased
22%
Diarrhoea
22%
Odynophagia
20%
Hypoacusis
20%
Alanine aminotransferase increased
20%
Hyponatraemia
19%
Tinnitus
19%
Oral candidiasis
19%
Asthenia
16%
Pyrexia
16%
Cough
15%
Aspartate aminotransferase increased
15%
Rash
14%
Insomnia
13%
Acute kidney injury
13%
Pharyngeal inflammation
13%
Pruritus
12%
Dysphonia
12%
Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased
11%
Pneumonia
11%
Dehydration
10%
Hyperthyroidism
10%
Hypoalbuminaemia
10%
Hypocalcaemia
10%
Headache
10%
Productive cough
9%
Neck pain
9%
Peripheral sensory neuropathy
8%
Gastrooesophageal reflux disease
8%
Hiccups
8%
Hyperglycaemia
8%
Hyperuricaemia
8%
Dizziness
8%
Hypophosphataemia
7%
Urinary tract infection
7%
Ear pain
7%
Localised oedema
7%
Hyperkalaemia
7%
Erythema
7%
Oral pain
6%
Abdominal pain upper
6%
Arthralgia
6%
Anxiety
6%
Febrile neutropenia
6%
Dyspepsia
6%
Saliva altered
5%
Back pain
5%
Oedema peripheral
5%
Hypertension
5%
Dyspnoea
4%
Nasopharyngitis
4%
Alopecia
4%
Dry skin
3%
Sepsis
3%
Pneumonia aspiration
3%
Trismus
3%
Pneumonitis
3%
Laryngeal oedema
2%
Malnutrition
2%
Pharyngeal haemorrhage
2%
Cellulitis
1%
Septic shock
1%
Systemic infection
1%
Clostridium difficile colitis
1%
Cardiac arrest
1%
Death
1%
Bronchitis
1%
Hepatitis
1%
Immune-mediated hepatitis
1%
Oesophagitis
1%
General physical health deterioration
1%
Hypophagia
1%
Tumour haemorrhage
1%
Cerebrovascular accident
1%
Syncope
1%
Acute respiratory failure
1%
Aspiration
1%
Colitis
1%
Mouth haemorrhage
1%
Hypersensitivity
1%
Acute myocardial infarction
1%
Abscess neck
1%
Device related infection
1%
Stoma site infection
1%
Vascular device infection
1%
Wound infection
1%
Hypercalcaemia
1%
Pulmonary embolism
1%
Respiratory failure
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Pembrolizumab + CRT Followed by Pembrolizumab
Placebo + CRT Followed by Placebo

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Treatment (pembrolizumab)Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 24 months in the absence of disease progression or toxicity. Patients with clinical response or disease stabilization may continue treatment for up to an additional 12 months.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Pembrolizumab
2017
Completed Phase 3
~3150

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterLead Sponsor
3,070 Previous Clinical Trials
1,802,651 Total Patients Enrolled
National Cancer Institute (NCI)NIH
13,938 Previous Clinical Trials
41,023,031 Total Patients Enrolled
Aung NaingPrincipal InvestigatorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center
4 Previous Clinical Trials
549 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Pembrolizumab (Monoclonal Antibodies) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT02721732 — Phase 2
Renal Cell Carcinoma Research Study Groups: Treatment (pembrolizumab)
Renal Cell Carcinoma Clinical Trial 2023: Pembrolizumab Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT02721732 — Phase 2
Pembrolizumab (Monoclonal Antibodies) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT02721732 — Phase 2
~17 spots leftby Dec 2025