New biosimilar aims to match cancer drug OPDIVO at lower cost
NCT ID NCT07518043
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This Phase 1 trial tests whether HLX18, a biosimilar of the cancer drug OPDIVO, works similarly in people with esophageal, melanoma, or bladder cancer after their tumors have been surgically removed. About 174 participants will receive either HLX18 or OPDIVO to compare how the drug moves through the body, its safety, and its ability to prevent cancer from coming back. The study is not yet recruiting and is still in early stages.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- HLX18 (a biosimilar drug similar to nivolumab/OPDIVO)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that HLX18 works as well as OPDIVO, potentially offering a more affordable treatment option for certain cancers after surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1 study with only 174 participants, so results may not confirm effectiveness. The drug is a biosimilar, meaning it may not perform identically to the original, and side effects could be similar to OPDIVO, including immune-related reactions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 174 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participants must have signed and dated an IRB/IEC approved written informed consent form. 2. Aged 18 to 70 years at the time of signing the ICF. 3. 18 kg/m² ≤ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m² and 50 kg ≤ body weight ≤ 85 kg. 4. Histologically confirmed solid tumors (EC/GEJC, Melanoma, or UC) status post R0 resection. 5. For EC/GEJC: residual pathologic disease (non-pCR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and R0 resection. 6. For Melanoma: Stage IIB-IV after complete surgical resection with documented negative margins. 7. For UC: High-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) following radical resection (R0). 8. Documented disease-free status (no recurrence) by imaging and physical exam within 4 weeks prior to randomization. 9. Adequate recovery from prior surgery or systemic therapy. 10. ECOG Performance Status of 0. 11. Adequate organ function. 12. Agreement to use effective contraception (negative pregnancy test for WOCBP). Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of illicit drug use or alcohol abuse within 12 months prior to randomization. 2. Tumor-specific exclusions: cervical esophageal cancer, Stage IV EC/GEJC, or ocular melanoma. 3. UC-specific surgical exclusions: status post partial cystectomy or partial nephrectomy. 4. EC/GEJC treatment violations: failure to receive mandatory preoperative concurrent CRT (mono-therapy is ineligible). 5. Prior treatment with nivolumab or any other immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4). 6. Other primary active malignancies within 5 years or history of organ/bone marrow transplantation. 7. Significant cardiovascular disease (MI, cerebrovascular disease) or unstable arrhythmia (QTc \> 450ms/470ms) within 6 months. 8. Chronic heart failure (NYHA Class III-IV) or LVEF \< 50% at screening. 9. Presence of interstitial pneumonia, pneumonitis, or severe lung function abnormalities. 10. Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppressive therapy. 11. Known HIV infection, active Hepatitis B/C, or active pulmonary tuberculosis. 12. Peripheral neuropathy ≥ Grade 2 or history of carcinomatosis meningitis. 13. Use of systemic corticosteroids (\>10 mg/day prednisone equivalent), immunosuppressants, or live vaccines within 28 days. 14. Recent or planned participation in other investigational drug, device, or surgical studies. 15. Severe allergic reactions to monoclonal antibodies or any condition deemed unsuitable by the investigator. 16. The investigator has a clear reason to believe that participation in this study would be detrimental to the participant.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
7 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Fujian Medical University Union Hospital
RECRUITINGFuzhou, China
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The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School Of Medicine
RECRUITINGHangzhou, China
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The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science & Technology
RECRUITINGLuoyang, China
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The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
RECRUITINGWenzhou, China
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The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University
RECRUITINGXi'an, China
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The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University
RECRUITINGTianjin, China
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Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology
RECRUITINGWuhan, China
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