Immunotherapy drug keytruda takes on mysterious cancers of unknown origin
NCT ID NCT03391973
First seen Jul 02, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial is investigating whether the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can help people with a rare and aggressive cancer called carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP), where doctors cannot find where the cancer started. Participants have not received prior treatment and have a poor prognosis. They receive pembrolizumab by IV every three weeks for up to 24 months. The study aims to see if the drug can shrink tumors or slow the disease.
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 offer a new treatment option for people with a hard-to-treat cancer where the original site is unknown.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with no control group, so results may not apply broadly. Pembrolizumab can cause immune-related side effects.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Cross Cancer Institute
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Tom Baker Cancer Centre
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N2, Canada