New drug cocktail aims to starve and attack tumors in advanced cancers

NCT ID NCT02298959

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This early-phase trial tests a combination of two drugs—pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy that helps the immune system fight cancer) and ziv-aflibercept (which cuts off blood supply to tumors)—in people with advanced solid tumors like melanoma, colorectal, ovarian, and kidney cancers. The main goal is to find the safest dose and see if the combo can shrink tumors. About 59 participants are enrolled, and researchers are watching closely for side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: pembrolizumab and ziv-aflibercept
What this could lead to: If it works, this combination could offer a new treatment option for several advanced cancers that have stopped responding to other therapies.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 1 trial with only 59 participants, so it is primarily testing safety and dosing. The combination may cause significant side effects and may not shrink tumors effectively.

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.

colorectal cancer colorectal carcinoma colorectal neoplasm melanoma metastatic malignant neoplasm metastatic melanoma neoplasm Neoplasm Metastasis ovarian cancer ovarian carcinoma refractory malignant neoplasm renal cell adenocarcinoma renal cell carcinoma sarcoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CLINICAL STAGE IV CUTANEOUS MELANOMA AJCC V8 METASTATIC COLORECTAL CARCINOMA METASTATIC MALIGNANT SOLID NEOPLASM METASTATIC MELANOMA METASTATIC OVARIAN CARCINOMA METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA PLATINUM-RESISTANT OVARIAN CARCINOMA RECURRENT MELANOMA RECURRENT RENAL CELL CARCINOMA REFRACTORY MELANOMA REFRACTORY RENAL CELL CARCINOMA SARCOMA STAGE IV COLORECTAL CANCER AJCC V8 STAGE IV OVARIAN CANCER AJCC V8 STAGE IV RENAL CELL CANCER AJCC V8

Contacts and locations

Locations

BCCA-Vancouver Cancer Centre

Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4E6, Canada
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center - McKinley Campus

Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center-International Plaza

Tampa, Florida, 33607, United States
National Cancer Institute Developmental Therapeutics Clinic

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
University Health Network-Princess Margaret Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada

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