Clinical trial Recruiting at 9 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 to 75

Fianlimab plus cemiplimab with chemotherapy for unresectable pleural mesothelioma

Official title: A Non-Comparative Phase IIR Trial Assessing Fianlimab Plus Cemiplimab Plus Pemetrexed-Platinum Chemotherapy or Cemiplimab Plus Pemetrexed-Platinum Chemotherapy for Treatment-Naive Pleural Mesothelioma (PM) Patients

Run by Intergroupe Francophone de Cancerologie Thoracique · NCT07234058 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests a combo of two immune therapies with chemotherapy to see if it helps people with newly diagnosed, unresectable pleural mesothelioma.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
Enrollment126 (estimated)
SponsorIntergroupe Francophone de Cancerologie Thoracique
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, prednisone
Locations37 sites (Aix-en-Provence and 36 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 2, 2026
Main results expectedMay 2028
Study endsSeptember 2029
Registry record updatedAugust 11, 2026
Trial IDNCT07234058 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with histologically confirmed, non-resectable pleural mesothelioma, treatment-naive, with measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 modified for mesothelioma.

Probably not a fit

Patients whose disease progresses rapidly, who cannot tolerate immunochemotherapy, or who do not meet measurable-disease criteria may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a multicenter, phase IIb trial with two non-comparative arms and an initial safety run for the anti-LAG3 therapy. Approximately 126 treatment-naive patients with unresectable pleural mesothelioma will be enrolled across around 40 sites and treated in 21-day cycles until progression, intolerable toxicity, withdrawal, or a two-year immunotherapy limit. The regimen includes cemiplimab, fianlimab, and pemetrexed with cisplatin or carboplatin, without crossover between arms. Eligibility requires histologic diagnosis, non-resectable disease confirmed by a thoracic cancer specialist, and measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 modified for mesothelioma.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could offer improved control of disease and potential survival benefits for patients with unresectable pleural mesothelioma.

How similar studies have gone: Early trials in similar immune-checkpoint combinations have shown signals of activity in mesothelioma, though this precise anti-LAG3/anti-PD-1 plus chemotherapy approach is still being explored.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed written Informed Consent.

   * Subjects must have signed and dated an IEC approved written informed consent form in accordance with regulatory and institutional guidelines. This must be obtained before the performance of any protocol-related procedures that are not part of normal subject care.
   * Subjects must be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment schedule, and laboratory testing.
2. Histological diagnosis (no cytology allowed, thoracoscopy biopsy recommended).
3. Non resectable PM as evaluated by a specialist MTB comprising a specialized thoracic surgeon.
4. Measurable disease by CT with iodure injection according to RECIST 1.1 modified criteria for mesothelioma (pleural thickness perpendicular to the chest wall or mediastinum of 7 mm or more, on 2 positions, at 3 separate levels on transverse cuts of CT-scan, at least 1 cm apart, the sum of 6 measurements defining a pleural unidimensional measure), or according to RECIST1.1 criteria for mediastinal nodes or metastatic lesion.
5. ECOG PS 0 and 1.
6. Weight loss \<10% within 3 months of study entry.
7. Chemo-naive and immuno-naive.
8. Age ≥18 years, \<76 years.
9. Life expectancy \>3 months.
10. Available pathological samples (at least 10 slides from the thoracoscopy pleural biopsy sample).
11. Adequate biological functions: creatinine clearance ≥45 mL/min (Cockroft or MDRD or CKD-epi); neutrophils ≥1500/mm3; platelets ≥100 000/mm3; haemoglobin ≥9g/dL; AST and ALT \<3 x ULN, total bilirubin \<2 x ULN (patients with hepatic metastases or Gilbert's syndrome must have AST and ALT ≤5 x ULN and a baseline total bilirubin ≤2 x ULN).
12. WOCBP\* must have a negative serum (beta-hCG) at screening.

    \*WOCBP are defined as women who are fertile following menarche until becoming postmenopausal, unless permanently sterile. Permanent sterilization methods include hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and bilateral oophorectomy. A postmenopausal state is defined as no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause. A high FSH level in the postmenopausal range may be used to confirm a postmenopausal state in women not using hormonal contraception or hormonal replacement therapy. However, in the absence of 12 months of amenorrhea, a single FSH measurement is insufficient to determine the occurrence of a postmenopausal state. The above definitions are according to the CTFG guidance. Pregnancy testing and contraception are not required for women with documented hysterectomy or tubal ligation.
13. Male study participants with WOCBP partners are required to use condoms during the study and until 6 months after the last dose of study treatment unless they are vasectomised or practice sexual abstinence.
14. Vasectomised partner or vasectomised study participant must have received medical assessment of the surgical success.

    NB: Periodic abstinence (calendar, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods), withdrawal (coitus interruptus), spermicides only, and LAM are not acceptable methods of contraception. Female condom and male condom should not be used together.
15. WOCBP must agree not to donate eggs (ova, oocytes) for the purposes of assisted reproduction during the entire trial and until 6 months after last treatment.
16. All men must agree not to donate sperm during the trial and for 6 months after receiving the last therapy dose.
17. As recommended in current French guidelines, a firm recommendation of radiation therapy for thoracocentesis tracts (3 x 7Gy) is made for patients with thoracocentesis or thoracoscopy within 2 months before accrual, with a firmly recommended interval between thoracoscopic procedure (removal of drains) and radiation of no more than 42 days. A 7-day interval between the end of radiotherapy and the initiation of treatment should be respected.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. ECOG PS\>2.
2. Previous cancer treatment including chemotherapy or immunotherapy with anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, Anti-CTLA4 or any ICI antibody.
3. Pleural effusion as the only radiological abnormality without measurable pleural thickness or mediastinal node enlargement.
4. Peritoneal, pericardial or tunica vaginalis testis mesothelioma.
5. Previous diagnosis of adenocarcinoma from any anatomic site within the previous 5 years, with the exception of prostate adenocarcinoma history within the previous 5 years, in case of localized prostate cancer, with good prognostic factors according to d'Amico classification (\<T2a, score de Gleason ≤6 and PSA ≤10 ng/ml) provided they were treated in a curative way (surgery or radiotherapy, without any chemotherapy). Previous or active cancer within the previous 5 years (except for treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or basal cell skin cancer treated or not).
6. Uncontrolled pleural effusion requiring frequent thoracocentesis (needing thoracoscopic pleural pleurodesis before possible accrual).
7. Symptomatic untreated brain metastasis (without previous whole brain radiotherapy or stereotactic ablative brain radiotherapy or without surgical resection). At least 2 weeks delay between the end of radiotherapy and the beginning of immuno-chemotherapy treatment should be respected. Asymptomatic brain metastasis, not needing corticosteroids greater than 10 mg prednisone equivalent daily or mannitol infusions, are allowed.
8. Radiotherapy needed at initiation of tumour treatment, except bone palliative radiotherapy on a painful or compressive metastasis, or radiotherapy on thoracic drain or puncture routes.
9. History of previous primary immunodeficiency, organ transplantation needing an immunosuppressive treatment, any immunosuppressive drug within 28 days before randomisation date, or history of severe toxicity (grade 3/4) by immune mechanism linked to another immunotherapy treatment for any kind of disease.
10. Systemic treatment with corticosteroids with greater dose than 10 mg prednisone equivalent daily, within 14 days before initiation of the treatment. Inhaled, nasal or topic corticosteroids are allowed.
11. History of active autoimmune disease, needing systemic immunosuppressive drug, including but not limited to rheumatoid polyarthritis, myasthenia, autoimmune hepatitis, systemic Lupus, Wegener's granulomatosis, vascular thrombosis associated with anti-phospholipid syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome with interstitial pulmonary disease, recent Guillain-Barré syndrome within previous 15 years, multiple sclerosis, vasculitis, or glomerulonephritis.

    Patients with type I diabetes, or hypothyroidy, or immune cutaneous disease (vitiligo, psoriasis, alopecia) or benign rheumatoid polyarthritis not needing any immunosuppressive systemic treatment or over 10 mg daily oral steroids, or benign sicca syndrome (Sjogren) without interstitial pulmonary disease, or history of past Guillain-Barré syndrome beyond 15 previous years, totally reversible with no sequalae, no systemic immunosuppressive treatment during the last 20 years, can be included. Patients with Grave's disease or psoriasis not requiring systemic therapy within the last two years from randomisation can be included.
12. Active inflammatory intestinal disease (diverticulosis, Crohn disease, haemorrhagic recto-colitis, coeliac disease) requiring systemic treatment, or any serious chronic intestinal disease with uncontrolled diarrhoea.
13. History or current evidence of significant (CTCAE grade ≥2) local or systemic infection (e.g. cellulitis, pneumonia, septicaemia) requiring systemic antibiotic treatment within 2 weeks prior to the first dose of trial medication.
14. Active uncontrolled infection requiring therapy including active tuberculosis. Past primary pulmonary tuberculosis in youth does not consist of a contra-indication. Past tuberculosis disease history does not consist of a contra-indication provided the patient was treated during at least 6 months by anti-tuberculosis antibiotic treatment.
15. Uncontrolled infection with HIV, HBV, or HCV infection; or diagnosis of immunodeficiency that is related to, or results in chronic infection.

    Notes:
    1. Patients with known HIV who have controlled infection (undetectable viral load and CD4 count above 350 either spontaneously or on a stable antiviral regimen) are permitted. For patients with controlled HIV infection, monitoring will be performed per local standards.
    2. Patients with known hepatitis B (HepBsAg+) who have controlled infection (serum hepatitis B virus DNA PCR that is below the limit of detection AND receiving anti-viral therapy for hepatitis B) are permitted. Patients with controlled infections must undergo periodic monitoring of HBV DNA per local standards and must remain on anti-viral therapy for at least 6 months beyond the last dose of investigational study drug.
    3. Patients who are known hepatitis C virus antibody positive (HCV Ab+) who have controlled infection (undetectable HCV RNA by PCR either spontaneously or in response to a successful prior course of anti-HCV therapy) are permitted.
    4. Patients with HIV or hepatitis must be reviewed by a qualified specialist (e.g. infectious disease or hepatologist) managing this disease prior to commencing and regularly throughout the duration of their participation in the trial.
16. Received a live vaccine within 30 days of planned start of study medication. Live or live attenuated vaccination with replicating potential. If a patient intends to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before the start of study drug, participation in the study should be delayed at least 1 week after any COVID-19 vaccination. During the treatment period, it is recommended to delay COVID-19 vaccination until patients are receiving and tolerating a steady dose of study drug. A vaccine dose should not be less than 48 hours before or after study drug dosing. mRNA and adenovirus vector anti-SARS-CoV2 vaccine are allowed.
17. General serious condition such as congestive uncontrolled cardiac failure, uncontrolled cardiac arrythmia, uncontrolled ischemic cardiac disease (unstable angina or history of myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months), history of stroke within the 6 previous months, history of myocarditis. Patients with a significant cardiac history, even if controlled, should have a LVEF \>45%.
18. TnT or troponin I TnI \> 2x institutional ULN at baseline. Patients with TnT or TnI levels between \>1 to 2xULN are permitted if repeat levels within 24 hours are ≤ 1x ULN. If TnT or TnI levels are \>1 to 2xULN within 24 hours, the subject may undergo a cardiac evaluation and be considered for treatment by the investigator based on cardiological medical judgement in the patient's best interest.
19. Known hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients.
20. Pre-existing moderate or severe lung interstitial disease as assessed by the diagnosis CT-scan and decrease of TLCO higher than 35% from theoretical normal values linked to such interstitial disease.
21. Inability to comply with study or follow-up procedures as estimated by the referent investigator.
22. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
23. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP)\* who are unwilling to practice highly effective contraception prior to the initial dose/start of the first treatment, during the study, and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Highly effective contraceptive measures include:

    1. Stable use of combined (oestrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception (oral, intravaginal, transdermal) or progestogen-only hormonal contraception (oral, injectable, implantable) associated with inhibition of ovulation initiated 2 or more menstrual cycles prior to screening;
    2. Intrauterine device; intrauterine hormone-releasing system;
    3. Bilateral tubal occlusion/ligation;
    4. Vasectomized partner (provided that the male vasectomized partner is the sole sexual partner of the WOCBP study participant and that the vasectomized partner has obtained medical assessment of surgical success for the procedure); or
    5. Sexual abstinence†. \*Pregnancy testing and contraception are required for WOCBP. †Sexual abstinence is considered a highly effective method only if defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse during the entire period of risk associated with the study drugs. The reliability of sexual abstinence needs to be evaluated in relation to the duration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject.
24. For patients receiving cisplatin: patients with hearing problems; creatinine clearance \<60 ml/min; patients concomitantly receiving phenytoin with prophylactic aim.

Where it's running

  • Boulogne - APHP Ambroise Paré
    Boulogne-Billancourt, France
    Recruiting
  • Lille - CHU
    Lille, France
    Recruiting
  • Nantes - Hôpital Laennec
    Nantes, France
    Recruiting
  • Paris - APHP Bichat
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Reims - Institut Godinot
    Reims, France
    Recruiting
  • Strasbourg - Nouvel Hôpital Civil
    Strasbourg, France
    Recruiting
Show 31 more locations
  • Toulon - CHI
    Toulon, France
    Recruiting
  • Toulouse - CHU
    Toulouse, France
    Recruiting
  • Tours - CHU
    Tours, France
    Recruiting
  • Aix-Pertuis - CHI
    Aix-en-Provence, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Amiens - CHU
    Amiens, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Angers - CHU
    Angers, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Avignon - CH
    Avignon, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Besançon - CHU
    Besançon, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Bordeaux - Institut Bergonié
    Bordeaux, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Caen - CHU
    Caen, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Clermont-Ferrand - Centre Jean Perrin
    Clermont-Ferrand, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Clermont-Ferrand - CHU
    Clermont-Ferrand, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Créteil - CHI
    Créteil, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Dijon - Centre Georges-François Leclerc
    Dijon, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Grenoble - CHU
    Grenoble, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • La Roche-Sur-Yon - CHD Vendée
    La Roche-sur-Yon, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Le Mans - CHG
    Le Mans, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Marseille - APHM Nord
    Marseille, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Marseille - Hôpital Européen
    Marseille, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Montpellier - CHU
    Montpellier, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Mulhouse - GHRMSA
    Mulhouse, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Paris - APHP Cochin
    Paris, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Bordeaux - CHU
    Pessac, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Lyon - HCL
    Pierre-Bénite, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Rennes - CHU
    Rennes, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Nantes - Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest
    Saint-Herblain, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Saint-Nazaire - Clinique Mutualiste de l'Estuaire
    Saint-Nazaire, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Toulon - Sainte Anne HIA
    Toulon, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy - Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine
    Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Villefranche sur Saône - CH
    Villefranche-sur-Saône, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Villejuif - Gustave Roussy
    Villejuif, France
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Dr Myriam LOCATELLI-SANCHEZ — Hôpital Lyon-Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon
  • Study coordinator: Contact IFCT
  • Email: contact@ifct.fr
  • Phone: +33 156811046

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.