Could an immunotherapy drug replace hormone therapy for some prostate cancers?

NCT ID NCT04019964

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo) in 8 men whose prostate cancer had returned after surgery or radiation, shown by rising PSA levels. The men had specific genetic changes (MMR deficiency or CDK12 alteration) that might make their cancers more sensitive to this type of drug. The goal was to see if nivolumab could lower PSA levels without using standard hormone therapy, which has significant side effects.

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 it works, this could offer a non-hormonal treatment option for men with certain genetic types of recurrent prostate cancer.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early-phase trial with only 8 participants. The results may not apply to all patients, and nivolumab can cause immune-related side effects.

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.

prostate cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PROSTATE CANCER RECURRENT PROSTATE CANCER

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

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