Experimental combo for advanced lung cancer shows early promise but trial halted
NCT ID NCT03436056
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial tested the combination of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) with precise, high-dose radiation (SBRT) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that had progressed after chemotherapy. The study aimed to find the safest radiation dose and check for severe side effects. Only 2 patients were enrolled before the trial was terminated, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about effectiveness.
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 stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new combination treatment for advanced lung cancer that has stopped responding to standard chemotherapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 trial that was terminated after only 2 participants, so results are extremely limited. The combination may cause serious side effects like low blood counts or organ inflammation.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Seeing the fight: new imaging tracer may reveal how immune cells attack lung cancer
- Can a pill outperform chemo for a Hard-to-Treat lung cancer mutation?
- Can a new drug shrink Hard-to-Treat tumors?
- Breath test may reveal who benefits from lung cancer immunotherapy
- Targeted radiation and immunotherapy join forces against Hard-to-Treat lung cancer
- Triple-Drug cocktail targets tough lung cancer mutations