Nivolumab plus cabozantinib for older adults with kidney cancer

Cabozantinib and Nivolumab Among Older Patients With Renal-cell Carcinoma, a Prospective Cohort With Geriatric, Pharmacologic and Patient-reported-outcome Evaluation

PHASE4 · Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris · NCT06934057

This trial tests the combination of nivolumab and cabozantinib in people aged 70 and older with metastatic clear-cell kidney cancer to see how it is used and tolerated in routine care.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages70 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorGustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris (other)
Drugs / interventionsNivolumab, Cabozantinib
Locations7 sites (Angers and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06934057 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm cohort enrolling patients aged 70 or older with advanced or metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma who have not received prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting. Participants receive nivolumab combined with cabozantinib according to standard practice while undergoing a baseline geriatric evaluation (G-CODE). The protocol includes reinforced, multimodal follow-up involving medical oncologists, geriatricians, nursing staff, scheduled phone contacts, and optional pharmacological monitoring for cabozantinib. The primary aim is to document real-life exposure, safety, and care pathways in an older population rather than to compare treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 70 or older with confirmed advanced or metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, treatment-naive in the metastatic setting, with performance status 0–2 and ability to give informed consent and attend follow-up.

Not a fit: Patients younger than 70, those with non–clear-cell histology, prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting, or poor performance status (>2) are unlikely to match the enrolled population and may not benefit from the study's findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the project could clarify how the nivolumab–cabozantinib combination is tolerated and managed in older patients, helping clinicians optimize treatment and supportive care for this age group.

How similar studies have performed: The nivolumab–cabozantinib combination has shown efficacy in broader phase 3 trials of advanced renal cell carcinoma, but prospective real-world data specifically in a geriatric population are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients ≥ 70 years-old
2. Confirmed advanced or metastatic renal-cell carcinoma
3. Patients not previously treated in metastatic setting
4. Performance Status 0 to 2
5. Sexually active male patients must agree to use condom during the study and for at least 5 months after the last study treatment administration. Also, it is recommended their women of childbearing potential partner use a highly effective method of contraception.
6. Patient should understand, sign, and date the written informed consent form prior to any protocol-specific procedures performed. Patient should be able and willing to comply with study visits and procedures as per protocol.
7. Patients must be affiliated to a social security system or beneficiary of the same

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participation in another clinical study with an investigational product during the last four weeks and while on study treatment (Patients may be included in CABOLD if they are included in the arm B of CARE1 study EUCT N° 2023-503317-29-00)
2. Performance Status \> 2
3. Any condition that represent a contraindication to Cabozantinib and/or Nivolumab, as described in summaries of products characteristics, including symptomatic untreated brain metastasis or active auto-immune disease requiring systemic immunosuppressant/modulator (thyroid or adrenal disorder are not an exclusion criteria)
4. Any severe cardiovascular or thrombo-embolic event in the last three months
5. Any situation for which exclusive palliative care intervention is recommended
6. Patient under guardianship or deprived of his liberty by a judicial or administrative decision or incapable of giving its consent

Where this trial is running

Angers and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Kidney Cancer, Renal Cell Cancer, renal cell carcinoma, kidney cancer, cabozantinib, nivolumab, elderly patients, geriatric population

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.