New combo therapy for lung cancer shows promise in early trial

NCT ID NCT02621398

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This early-phase trial tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy and radiation is safe for people with stage II to IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. Twenty-three participants received the combination to find the best dose and check for side effects, especially lung inflammation. The goal was to see if this approach could be a future treatment option.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: pembrolizumab (a drug that helps the immune system fight cancer) given with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and radiation therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a new treatment option that improves outcomes for people with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 23 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The main risk was severe lung inflammation (pneumonitis), and the combination may not work better than standard care.

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.

non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

STAGE II NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER STAGE IIIA NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER STAGE IIIB NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08903, United States
University of Pennsylvania/Abramson Cancer Center

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Yale Cancer Center

New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States

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