Experimental antibody APX005M takes on childhood brain cancers

NCT ID NCT03389802

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This early-stage trial is testing an experimental drug called APX005M in 32 children with brain tumors that have come back or are hard to treat, including a type of brain stem glioma. The drug works by activating the immune system to attack cancer cells. The main goals are to find a safe dose and see how well children tolerate the treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
APX005M (an experimental antibody that activates the immune system)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to a new treatment option for children with hard-to-treat brain tumors by helping their immune system fight the cancer.
What could go wrong
This is a very early (Phase 1) trial with only 32 participants, so it is primarily testing safety and dosing. The drug may not shrink tumors or improve survival, and side effects like cytokine release syndrome are possible.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Baylor College of Medicine

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • Children Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States

  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

  • Children's Hospital Colorado

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

  • Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, California, 90026, United States

  • Childrens National Medical Center

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010-2970, United States

  • Cincinnati Children Hospital Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States

  • Lucile Packard Children Hospital Stanford University

    Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States

  • Lurie Childrens Hospital-Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60614, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

    New York, New York, 10065, United States

  • St. Jude Children Research Hospital

    Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, United States

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