New pill combo shows promise for tough thyroid cancer

NCT ID NCT04940052

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 3 study tests whether two targeted cancer pills, dabrafenib and trametinib, can help people with advanced thyroid cancer that has a specific gene change (BRAF V600E) and no longer responds to radioactive iodine. About 153 adults who have already tried one or two other treatments are taking part. The main goal is to see if the drug combo slows cancer growth compared to a placebo.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: dabrafenib and trametinib (targeted cancer drugs taken as pills)
What this could lead to: If this works, it could offer a new treatment option for people with a specific type of advanced thyroid cancer that has stopped responding to standard therapies.
What could go wrong: This is a phase 3 trial, but results are not yet final. The drugs may not improve survival for all patients, and side effects like fever, rash, or heart problems are possible.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

differentiated thyroid carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CANCER (DTC)

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Northwestern University Med School

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
Novartis Investigative Site

CABA, Buenos Aires, C1417DTB, Argentina
Novartis Investigative Site

Rio de Janiero, Rio de Janeiro, 20231-050, Brazil
Novartis Investigative Site

Blumenau, Santa Catarina, 89015-200, Brazil
Novartis Investigative Site

São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil
Novartis Investigative Site

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
Novartis Investigative Site

London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada
Novartis Investigative Site

Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210006, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221003, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Changchun, Jilin, 130033, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300121, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Beijing, 100036, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Beijing, 100730, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Guangzhou, 510060, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Shanghai, 200233, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Tianjin, 300052, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Tianjin, 300480, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Hisar, Haryana, 125005, India
Novartis Investigative Site

New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, 110029, India
Novartis Investigative Site

Chennai, 600 020, India
Novartis Investigative Site

George Town, Pulau Pinang, 10450, Malaysia
Novartis Investigative Site

Kuching, Sarawak, 93586, Malaysia
Novartis Investigative Site

Kuala Lumpur, 59100, Malaysia
Novartis Investigative Site

Seoul, 03080, South Korea
Novartis Investigative Site

Seoul, 05505, South Korea
Novartis Investigative Site

Seoul, 06351, South Korea
Novartis Investigative Site

Seoul, 06591, South Korea
Novartis Investigative Site

Tainan, 704302, Taiwan
Novartis Investigative Site

Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
Novartis Investigative Site

Istanbul, Fatih, 34098, Turkey (Türkiye)
Novartis Investigative Site

Edirne, Merkez, 22030, Turkey (Türkiye)
Novartis Investigative Site

Ankara, Yenimahalle, 06500, Turkey (Türkiye)
Novartis Investigative Site

Adana, Yuregir, 01250, Turkey (Türkiye)
Novartis Investigative Site

Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam

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