Keytruda takes on deadly thyroid cancer in tiny trial

NCT ID NCT05119296

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This Phase 2 trial tests the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in 12 people with advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer, a rare and fast-growing cancer with no standard cure. Participants receive the drug every three weeks to see if tumors shrink or stop growing. The study is small and early, so results will show only whether further research is warranted.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a treatment option for a rare and aggressive thyroid cancer with few alternatives.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 12 participants. The drug may not shrink tumors or improve survival, and side effects like immune-related inflammation are possible.

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.

thyroid cancer thyroid gland undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma Thyroid Neoplasms

As listed by the trial registrant

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

THYROID CANCER

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Stanford University

Palo Alto, California, 94305, United States

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