Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Inhaled budesonide to prevent recurrent checkpoint inhibitor–related pneumonitis

Official title: Inhaled Budesonide for REcurrence Prevention and Adjuvant THerapy in Checkpoint Inhibitor Pneumonitis

Run by AHS Cancer Control Alberta · NCT06860542 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether adding inhaled budesonide to usual care can prevent recurrence of pneumonitis in adults who developed grade 2 or higher lung inflammation from checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy.

More Immune-related Adverse Event trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment94 (estimated)
SponsorAHS Cancer Control Alberta
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, prednisone, immunotherapy
Locations1 site (Calgary, Alberta)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 10, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2029
Study endsDecember 1, 2030
Registry record updatedAugust 7, 2026
Trial IDNCT06860542 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults with solid tumors receiving checkpoint inhibitors who have a first documented episode of grade 2 or higher CIP and can attend the Calgary study site.

Probably not a fit

Patients with lung inflammation due to infection or tumor progression, those with contraindications to inhaled corticosteroids, or those with chronic steroid‑refractory pneumonitis may not benefit from this approach.

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

What this trial studies

This phase 2 interventional trial compares inhaled budesonide plus usual care versus usual care alone for adults with a first episode of grade ≥2 checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP). Eligible participants have histologically confirmed solid tumors and a CIP diagnosis made according to ASCO/ESMO guidance after ruling out infection and cancer progression. The budesonide arm uses Pulmicort Turbuhaler in addition to standard management, and outcomes include recurrence rate, systemic steroid exposure, safety, and ability to continue cancer therapy. Participants will undergo clinical follow-up and imaging as indicated to monitor lung inflammation and exclude other causes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, inhaled budesonide could reduce pneumonitis recurrence, lower systemic steroid use, and help patients remain on cancer immunotherapy with better quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: This approach is relatively novel—systemic corticosteroids are the standard treatment for CIP and inhaled corticosteroids have limited prior data specifically for preventing CIP recurrence, though they are used in other airway inflammatory conditions.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients must be 18 years of age, or older on the day of signing informed consent and be willing and able to provide written informed consent/assent and, in the opinion of the Investigator, comply with protocol tests and procedures
2. Patients require histologically confirmed solid tumour undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy
3. Diagnosis of first documented diagnosis of CIP made per ESMO/ASCO guidelines with severity \>/grade 2 by CTCAEv5.0, being treated with systemic steroids at time of randomization/enrollment

   a. Per ASCO/ESMO consensus guidelines, evaluation should include a compatible clinical presentation and reasonable exclusion of alternative etiologies, including infection and/or pulmonary disease progression. The extent of infectious workup, including respiratory viral testing, is at the discretion of the treating investigator and should be guided by clinical judgment, and local standards of care. Bronchoscopic sampling is not required but may be considered when clinically indicated.
4. Be able to effectively operate and use budesonide delivery method (Turbuhaler®), either independently or with aid of caregiver who anticipates being able to do so throughout trial period
5. Have adequate organ function, as judged by enrolling clinician
6. Females of childbearing potential have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test prior to study day 1. Patients of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free of menses for at least 1 year
7. Females of childbearing potential are willing to use contraception or abstain from heterosexual sexual contact for the course of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) active (clinically and radiologically evident) within last year prior to diagnosis of CIP
2. Clinically suspected significant lung disease for which inhaled steroid would be standard of care (moderate asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) and for which randomization to no inhaled steroids (control arm) would not represent optimal medical care. Based on enrolling physicians judgement; spirometry/pulmonary function tests are NOT required to assess this exclusion criteria.
3. Current (within last two weeks), active (not medically able or unwilling to discontinue prior to treatment start) and regular (2 or more times per week) use of inhaled steroids (for any indication) or systemic (\>10mg prednisone equivalent) corticosteroids (for indication other than CIP) at time of randomization
4. Receiving systemic, non-chemotherapy immunosuppressive agent at time of randomization (hydroxychloroquine is acceptable)
5. Use of a medication with significant interaction with inhaled budesonide (HIV protease inhibitors, ketoconazole or other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors), unless deemed required and safe by co-investigator.
6. Known poorly controlled diabetes, defined as A1c \>10, prior to initiation of steroids for CIP
7. History of active and unstable systemic disease, including heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV, cirrhosis with Child Pugh B or C, Renal Failure with creatinine clearance (CrCl) \<30 per Cockcroft-Gault formula, or other unstable life limiting condition as determined by trial investigators
8. Current or prior participation in a study of an investigational agent or device within 4 weeks of randomization
9. History or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormalities which might confound trial results, interfere with the patient's participation for the full duration of the trial, or otherwise causing it to be not in the best interest of the patient to participate in the trial, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
10. Is or has an immediate family member (e.g., spouse, parent/legal guardian, sibling or child) who is directly involved with this trial, unless prospective ethics board approval (by chair or designee) is given allowing exception to this criterion for a specific patient
11. Breastfeeding is not permitted during the duration of trial participation.

Where it's running

  • Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

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.