New drug duo aims to outsmart advanced kidney cancer

NCT ID NCT05928806

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This Phase 2 trial is testing a new combination of two immunotherapy drugs, botensilimab and balstilimab, against the standard combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab for people with advanced kidney cancer that has spread. The study plans to enroll 120 patients who have not had prior treatment. The goal is to see if the new combo shrinks tumors more effectively and for a longer time.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Botensilimab and balstilimab (immunotherapy drugs)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a new, possibly more effective immunotherapy option for people with advanced kidney cancer.

What could go wrong

This is a Phase 2 trial, so it's still early. The new combo may not work better than the standard treatment, and it could have serious side effects like immune system attacks on healthy organs.

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.

clear cell renal carcinoma renal cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

  • Cornell University

    Ithaca, New York, 14850, United States

  • Dana-Farber - Partners Cancer Care, Inc

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

  • Georgetown University

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20057, United States

  • Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

  • John Theurer Cancer Center

    Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601, United States

  • Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

  • Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • University of California San Diego

    La Jolla, California, 92093, United States

  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

    Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States

  • Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

  • Yale University, Yale Cancer Center

    New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States