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

NCT ID NCT05733715

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

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.

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.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Abramson Cancer Center at University of Pennsylvania

    RECRUITING

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States