Could a drug combo boost the immune system against kidney cancer?

NCT ID NCT05733715

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This early-phase trial is testing whether giving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) alone or with lenvatinib (Lenvima) before and after kidney cancer surgery can strengthen the immune system's attack on the tumor. About 30 adults with high-risk kidney cancer will receive the drugs and have their immune cells measured. The goal is to see if these treatments can reduce the amount of cancer left after surgery and help prevent recurrence.

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) and lenvatinib (Lenvima)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to shrink kidney tumors before surgery and reduce the chance of cancer coming back.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small pilot study (30 people) testing immune markers, not yet proven to improve survival. Side effects from the drugs may occur.

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.

renal cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Abramson Cancer Center at University of Pennsylvania
RECRUITING

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

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