New drug cocktail targets Hard-to-Treat lung cancer

NCT ID NCT02393625

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether combining two drugs, ceritinib and nivolumab, is safe and effective for people with a specific genetic subtype of advanced lung cancer called ALK-positive NSCLC. About 57 adults with stage IIIB or IV disease will receive the combination. The main goals are to find the best dose and see if tumors shrink.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

ceritinib and nivolumab

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to a new combination treatment option for people with ALK-positive lung cancer that may work better than current therapies.

What could go wrong

This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 57 participants, so safety and effectiveness are not yet proven. The combination may cause serious side effects or fail to improve outcomes.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Fox Chase Cancer Center

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111, United States

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

  • Massachusetts General Hospital Thoracic Oncolgoy

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

  • Mayo Clinic - Arizona

    Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259, United States

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Leuven, Vlaams Brabant, 3000, Belgium

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Milan, MI, 20133, Italy

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Modena, MO, 41124, Italy

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Singapore, 168583, Singapore

  • Novartis Investigative Site

    Barcelona, 08035, Spain