Immunotherapy drug shows promise for tough colorectal cancer

NCT ID NCT03981146

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase II trial tested the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo) in 35 adults with advanced colorectal cancer that has a specific marker (class II expression) and is microsatellite stable, a type that usually does not respond to immunotherapy. The goal was to see if the drug could stop the cancer from growing for at least 27 weeks. The study is completed, and results will show whether this approach can help control the disease in patients who have exhausted standard treatments.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

nivolumab (Opdivo)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for people with a hard-to-treat form of colorectal cancer that has not responded to standard therapies.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 35 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The cancer type studied is known to be resistant to immunotherapy, so the drug may not work as hoped.

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.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COLORECTAL CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

colorectal cancer colorectal neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Belfast City Hospital

    Belfast, United Kingdom

  • Clatterbridge Cancer Centre

    Liverpool, United Kingdom

  • Freemans Hospital

    Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

  • Guys Hospital

    London, United Kingdom

  • Leicester Royal Infirmary

    Leicester, LE1 5WW, United Kingdom

  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital

    Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • St James Leeds

    Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom

  • The Christie Hospital, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

    Manchester, United Kingdom

  • The Royal Free Hospital

    London, NW3 2QG, United Kingdom

  • The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

    London, United Kingdom

  • University College Hospital

    London, United Kingdom

  • Velindre Cancer Centre

    Cardiff, United Kingdom

  • Western General Hospital

    Edinburgh, United Kingdom

  • Weston Park

    Sheffield, S10 2SJ, United Kingdom