New drug combo takes on advanced cancers in early trial

NCT ID NCT05544929

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

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

Summary

This early-stage trial is testing a new drug called KFA115, either by itself or combined with the immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab), in 126 people with advanced cancers like lung, skin, kidney, and others. The main goal is to check safety and find the best dose. It is not yet known if the drug works against the cancer.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: KFA115 (an immunomodulatory drug) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda, an immunotherapy)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for several advanced cancers that have stopped responding to standard therapies.
What could go wrong: This is a very early Phase 1 trial focused on safety and dosing, not on effectiveness. It is small (126 people) and includes many cancer types, so results may not apply broadly. Side effects are unknown.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anal carcinoma anus neoplasm Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial clear cell adenocarcinoma colonic neoplasm colorectal adenocarcinoma colorectal cancer colorectal carcinoma colorectal neoplasm cutaneous melanoma Esophageal Neoplasms gastroesophageal cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma intestinal cancer kidney cancer lung neoplasm melanoma mesothelioma nasopharyngeal carcinoma nasopharyngeal neoplasm neoplasm non-small cell lung carcinoma ovarian cancer ovarian carcinoma ovarian epithelial tumor rectal neoplasm renal cell adenocarcinoma renal cell carcinoma skin neoplasm Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck thymic carcinoma thymoma Thymus Neoplasms triple-negative breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANAL CANCER CARCINOMA, NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG CARCINOMA, OVARIAN EPITHELIAL CARCINOMA, RENAL CELL CARCINOMA, THYMIC CUTANEOUS MELANOMA ESOPHAGOGASTRIC CANCER HIGH MICROSATELLITE INSTABILITY COLORECTAL CARCINOMA MESOTHELIOMA NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF HEAD AND NECK TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST NEOPLASMS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital .

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
NYU School of Medicine

New York, New York, 10015, United States
Novartis Investigative Site

Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
Novartis Investigative Site

Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Beijing, 100036, China
Novartis Investigative Site

Lyon, 69373, France
Novartis Investigative Site

Dresden, Saxony, 01307, Germany
Novartis Investigative Site

Essen, 45147, Germany
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

Chuo Ku, Tokyo, 104 0045, Japan
Novartis Investigative Site

Singapore, 119074, Singapore
Novartis Investigative Site

Seoul, 03080, South Korea
Novartis Investigative Site

Barcelona, Catalonia, 08035, Spain
Novartis Investigative Site

Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
SCRI Oncology Partners

Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States

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