Clinical trial Recruiting at 6 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Combining pembrolizumab and cabozantinib for advanced sarcomas

Official title: Combination of Pembrolizumab and Cabozantinib in Patients With Advanced Sarcomas

Run by Institut Bergonié · NCT05182164 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if combining two treatments, pembrolizumab and cabozantinib, can help people with advanced types of sarcoma feel better and improve their condition.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment119 (estimated)
SponsorInstitut Bergonié
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsPembrolizumab, Cabozantinib, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations10 sites (Bordeaux and 9 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 25, 2022
Main results expectedDecember 2026
Study endsDecember 2027
Registry record updatedOctober 7, 2025
Trial IDNCT05182164 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with advanced, non-resectable, or metastatic soft tissue sarcomas that have progressed after standard therapies.

Probably not a fit

Patients with early-stage sarcomas or those who are candidates for other approved therapies may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This Phase II trial evaluates the effectiveness of the combination of pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and cabozantinib, a targeted therapy, in patients with advanced sarcomas. The study is structured into three independent strata, each focusing on a specific type of advanced sarcoma: undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. Participants will be assessed for treatment efficacy based on their disease progression and response to therapy, following a multicenter, prospective design.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment combination could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced sarcomas who have limited treatment alternatives.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with similar combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies in various cancers, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histology: undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (stratum 1), bone osteosarcoma (stratum 2), bone or extraskeletal or Ewing sarcoma (stratum 3),
2. Advanced non resectable / metastatic disease,
3. Recurrent disease or progression after standard therapy,
4. Documented progression according to RECIST criteria.
5. Have provided tissue of a tumor lesion from \< 3 months old archival tissue sample obtained on locally advanced disease, or metastatis with no subsequent treatment since or from a newly obtained core or excisional biopsy,
6. No more of three previous lines of systemic therapy for advanced disease,
7. Age ≥ 18 years,
8. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ≤ 1,
9. Measurable disease according to RECIST v1.1 outside any previously irradiated field. At least one site of disease must be uni-dimensionally ≥ 10 mm,
10. Life expectancy \> 3 months,
11. Participant must have advanced disease and must not be a candidate for other approved therapeutic regimen known to provide significant clinical benefit based on investigator judgement,
12. No symptomatic central nervous system disease,
13. No chronic use of glucocorticoids.
14. Adequate hematological, renal, metabolic and hepatic function,
15. No prior or concurrent malignant disease diagnosed or treated in the last 2 years except for adequately treated in situ carcinoma of the cervix, basal or squamous skin cell carcinoma, or in situ transitional bladder cell carcinoma,
16. At least three weeks since last chemotherapy, immunotherapy and two weeks for any other pharmacological treatment and/or radiotherapy,
17. Recovery to grade ≤ 1 from any adverse event (AE) derived from previous treatment (excluding alopecia of any grade, non-painful peripheral neuropathy grade ≤ 2 and endocrine-related grade ≤ 2 requiring treatment or hormone replacement) (according to NCI-CTCAE, version 5.0). For patients previously treated by radiotherapy, they must have recovered from all radiation-related toxicities, not require corticosteroids, and not have had radiation pneumonitis,
18. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication. Both women and men must agree to use 2 medically acceptable methods of contraception throughout the treatment period and for 6 months after discontinuation of treatment. Subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for ≥ 1 year,
19. Voluntary signed and dated written informed consents prior to any specific study procedure,
20. Patients with a social security in compliance with the French Law.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous treatment with Pembrolizumab or Cabozantinib,
2. Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, or anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibody (including ipilimumabor any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathways),
3. Evidence of progressive or symptomatic central nervous system or leptomeningeal metastases,
4. Men or women of childbearing potential who are not using an effective method of contraception; women who are pregnant or breast feeding, men or women who are planning to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of study treatment,
5. Participation to a study involving a medical or therapeutic intervention in the last 21 days,
6. Previous enrolment in the present study,
7. Patient unable to follow and comply with the study procedures because of any geographical, familial, social or psychological reasons,
8. Patient unable to swallow,
9. Known hypersensitivity to any involved study drug or of its formulation components,
10. Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy is not considered a form of systemic treatment and is allowed.
11. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment,
12. History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, history of non-infectious pneumonitis that required steroids, current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease, drug-induced pneumonitis, organizing pneumonia, or evidence of active pneumonitis on screening chest CT scan. History of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) is permitted,
13. Has a known history of Hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] reactive) or known active Hepatitis C virus (defined as HCV RNA \[qualitative\] is detected) infection.
14. Has a known history of HIV infection and/or of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis),
15. Treatment with anticoagulants such as anti-Vitamin K, thrombin or Factor Xa inhibitors, or antiplatelet agents (e.g., clopidogrel),
16. Previous allogenic bone marrow transplant or solid organ transplantation,
17. Has an active infection requiring systemic treatment at study entry,
18. The subject has a corrected QT interval calculated by the Fridericia formula (QTcF) \> 500 ms within 28 days before treatment. Note: if initial QTcF is found to be \> 500 ms, two additional ECGs separated by at least 3 minutes should be performed. If the average of these three consecutive results for QTcF is ≤ 500 ms, the subject meets eligibility in this regard,
19. The subject requires chronic concomitant treatment of strong CYP3A4 inducers
20. The subject has experienced any of the following: Clinically-significant gastrointestinal bleeding within 6 months before the first dose of study treatment, Hemoptysis of ≥ 2.5 mL of red blood within 3 months before the first dose of study treatment, Any other signs indicative of pulmonary hemorrhage within 3 months before the first dose of study treatment, The subject has radiographic evidence of cavitating pulmonary lesion(s), The subject has tumor in contact with, invading or encasing any major blood vessels, or The subject has evidence of tumor invading the GI tract, or any evidence of endotracheal or endobronchial tumor within 28 days before the first dose of cabozantinib.
21. The subject has uncontrolled, significant intercurrent or recent illness including, but not limited to, the following conditions which are fully described in the study protocol: Cardiovascular disorders, Gastrointestinal disorders particularly those associated with a high risk of perforation or fistula formation, Other disorders associated with a high risk of fistula formation including PEG tube placement within 3 months before the first dose of study therapy,
22. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster (chicken pox), yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Note: Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines (eg, FluMist®) are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed.
23. Has an history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might counfound the results of the study, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
24. The subject is planning to have oral surgery/invasive dental procedure within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 3 months after the last dose of study treatment or had such a procedure within 3 months of first dose of study treatment.

Where it's running

  • Institut Bergonie
    Bordeaux, France
    Recruiting
  • Centre Georges François Leclerc
    Dijon, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut Paoli Calmettes
    Marseille, France
    Recruiting
  • Hôpital La Timone
    Marseille, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest - Site René Gauducheau
    Saint-Herblain, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut Gustave Roussy
    Villejuif, France
    Recruiting
Show 4 more locations
  • Centre Oscar Lambret
    Lille, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Centre Leon Berard
    Lyon, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • Institut Curie
    Paris, France
    Not yet recruiting
  • IUCT Oncopole
    Toulouse, France
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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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.