Old drug, new hope: thalidomide combo shows promise for kids with rare cancer
NCT ID NCT06470464
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed phase 2 trial tested a combination of thalidomide and three chemotherapy drugs (nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine, epirubicin) in 20 children with relapsed or refractory yolk sac tumor, a rare germ cell cancer. The goal was to see if this new mix could shrink tumors or lower tumor markers. The study is the first to report this specific combination for children whose cancer returned after standard treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- thalidomide combined with nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and epirubicin
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for children with yolk sac tumors that have not responded to standard chemotherapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Thalidomide can cause side effects like nerve damage and blood clots.
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
-
Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute
Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China
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