Clinical trial Recruiting at 45 sites Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Testing a new bispecific antibody for advanced solid tumors

Official title: Phase 1/2 Dose Escalation and Cohort Expansion Study Evaluating MCLA-158 (Petosemtamab) as Single Agent or in Combination in Advanced Solid Tumors

Run by Genmab · NCT03526835 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment called MCLA-158 to see if it can help people with advanced solid tumors, especially those with metastatic colorectal cancer, when other options have run out.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment560 (estimated)
SponsorGenmab
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, petosemtamab, bevacizumab, Chemotherapy, radiation, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide
Locations54 sites (La Jolla, California and 53 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 2, 2018
Main results expectedMay 2028
Study endsNovember 2028
Registry record updatedNovember 2, 2026
Trial IDNCT03526835 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include patients with histologically confirmed advanced solid tumors, particularly those with metastatic colorectal cancer or other EGFR-dependent cancers, who have exhausted standard treatment options.

Probably not a fit

Patients with early-stage tumors that are amenable to curative treatment or those with significant comorbidities that prevent participation 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 is a Phase 1/2 open-label, multi-center, multi-national study evaluating the bispecific antibody MCLA-158 in patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly those with metastatic colorectal cancer and other EGFR-dependent cancers. The study consists of a dose escalation phase to determine the recommended Phase II dose, followed by an expansion phase assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and anti-tumor activity of MCLA-158 as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies. The study aims to provide insights into the efficacy of MCLA-158 in treating patients who have limited treatment options.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option for patients with advanced solid tumors that are resistant to standard therapies.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies involving bispecific antibodies have shown promise, indicating that this approach may be effective, although MCLA-158 itself is a novel agent.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumors with evidence of metastatic or locally advanced disease not amenable to standard therapy with curative intent.
* A baseline fresh tumor sample (FFPE) from a metastatic or primary site (if safe/feasible).
* Amenable for biopsy (if safe/feasible).
* Measurable disease as defined by RECIST version 1.1 by radiologic methods.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
* Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks, as per investigator.
* Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% by echocardiogram (ECHO) or multiple gated acquisition scan (MUGA).
* Adequate organ function
* Expansion cohorts: patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic disease for the following indications:

SINGLE AGENT:

* SECOND-/THIRD-LINE HNSCC PATIENTS (cohort closed to enrolment): patients who have progressed on or after, or are intolerant to, anti-PD-(L)1 therapy and platinum therapy as monotherapy or in combination with other agents and no previous exposure to EGFR inhibitors. Patients treated with platinum-containing therapy only in the adjuvant setting, or in the context of multimodal therapy for locally advanced disease should have disease progression within 6 months of the last dose of platinum containing therapy. Patients with no more than 2 prior lines of treatment in recurrent or metastatic disease. • Human papilloma virus (HPV) status determined by p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) or molecular HPV test for all oropharyngeal tumors should be reported when available.
* The eligible HNSCC primary tumor locations are oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx.
* 3L+ mCRC and 2L/3L HNSCC patients. (cohort open to enrolment) patients must have:
* No oncogenic missense mutations in KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, or EGFR ectodomain, , as detected in plasma by ctDNA NGS central testing performed during screening.
* A microsatellite stable (MSS) tumor.
* Received ≥2 and no more than 4 lines of prior therapy in the metastatic setting including:

  1. Chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and a fluoropyrimidine,
  2. Targeted therapy with an anti-VEGF therapy

COMBINATION:

* FIRST-LINE HNSCC (cohort closed to enrolment): patients eligible to receive pembrolizumab as first-line monotherapy with tumors expressing programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1), combined positive score (CPS) ≥1, as determined by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved test in the US, or by an approved equivalent test in other countries; patients should not have previous systemic therapy administered in the recurrent or metastatic setting, although previous systemic therapy as part of multimodal treatment for locally advanced disease is allowed if ended ≥6 months prior to signing the ICF. The eligible HNSCC primary tumor locations are oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx. Previous treatments with anti PD-(L)1 or anti-EGFR therapies are not allowed.
* mCRC (cohorts open to enrolment): Patients should have been previously diagnosed with histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum. Patients must be RAS/ RAF WT as determined using tumor tissue (primary or metastatic) by an appropriate tumor tissue based assay, to be confirmed by the sponsor, and must have an MSS tumor. Patients must be naive to prior anti-EGFR therapy.

  i. Cohort to be treated with petosemtamab and FOLFIRI: patients may have received up to 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for the metastatic setting, consisting of 1L fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy ± bevacizumab.

ii. Cohort to be treated with petosemtamab and FOLFOX: patients may have received up to 1 prior chemotherapy regimen in the metastatic setting consisting of 1L fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan-based chemotherapy ± bevacizumab

Exclusion Criteria:

* Central nervous system metastases that are untreated or symptomatic, or require radiation, surgery, or continued steroid therapy to control symptoms within 14 days of study entry.
* Known leptomeningeal involvement.
* Participation in another clinical study or treatment with any investigational drug within 4 weeks prior to study entry.
* Any systemic anticancer therapy within 4 weeks or 5 half-lives whichever is shorter of the first dose of study treatment. For cytotoxic agents that have major delayed toxicity ( e.g. mitomycin C,nitrosoureas), or anticancer immunotherapies, a washout period of 6 weeks is required.
* Requirement for immunosuppressive medication (e.g. methotrexate, cyclophosphamide)
* Major surgery or radiotherapy within 3 weeks of the first dose of study treatment. Patients who received prior radiotherapy to ≥25% of bone marrow are not eligible, irrespective of when it was received.
* Persistent grade \>1 clinically significant toxicities related to prior antineoplastic therapies (except for alopecia); stable sensory neuropathy ≤ grade 2 NCI-CTCAE v4.03 is allowed.
* History of hypersensitivity reaction to any of the excipients of petosemtamab, human proteins or any non-IMP treatment required for this study.
* Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \[BP\] \> 150 mmHg and/or diastolic BP \> 100 mmHg) with appropriate treatment or unstable angina. History of congestive heart failure of Class II-IV New York Heart Association (NYHA) criteria, or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring treatment (except atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia). History of myocardial infarction within 6 months of study entry.
* History of prior malignancies with the exception of excised cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or nonmelanoma skin cancer, or curatively treated cancer deemed at low risk for recurrence with no evidence of disease for 3 years.
* Current dyspnea at rest of any origin, or other diseases requiring continuous oxygen therapy. Patients with a history of interstitial lung disease (e.g., pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis) or evidence of ILD on baseline chest computerized tomography (CT) scan.
* Current serious illness or medical conditions including, but not limited to uncontrolled active infection,clinically significant pulmonary, metabolic or psychiatric disorders.
* Patients with known infectious diseases:

  i. Active hepatitis B infection (hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] positive) without receiving antiviral treatment. ii. Positive test for hepatitis C ribonucleic acid (HCV) RNA).
* Pregnant or breastfeeding patients; patients of childbearing potential must use highly effective contraception methods prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and for 6 months after the last dose of MCLA-158.

Where it's running

  • UCSD
    La Jolla, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sharp Healthcare
    San Diego, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
    Lone Tree, Colorado, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Florida
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sarah Cannon Research Institute (Lake Nona)
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Emory University
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Massachusetts General Hospital - Dana Farber
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • Washington University School of Medicine at St Louis
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cayuga Medical Center
    Ithaca, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mt. Sinai
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York
    Syracuse, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cleveland Clinic
    Cleveland, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ohio State University
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Taylor Cancer Research Center
    Maumee, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
    Memphis, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • Texas Oncology
    Dallas, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Oncology Consultants
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Texas Oncology
    Tyler, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Utah Cancer Specialists
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Utah Health Huntsman Cancer Hospital
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
    Recruiting
  • Oncology & Hematology Associates of Southwest Virginia
    Roanoke, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Georgetown University Medical Center
    Georgetown, Washington, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cancer Care Northwest
    Spokane, Washington, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc
    Brussels, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • UZ Gent
    Ghent, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • Chu Ucl Namur Site De Sainte-Elisabeth
    Namur, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • Hopital Saint Andre, CHU Bordeaux
    Bordeaux, France
    Recruiting
  • Centre Leon Berard
    Lyon, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier
    Montpellier, France
    Recruiting
  • Centre Antoine Lacassagne
    Nice, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut Curie
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Institut Gustave Roussy
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Centre Henri Becquerel
    Rouen, France
    Recruiting
  • ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • NKI - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek
    Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Recruiting
  • UMC Radboud
    Nijmegen, Netherlands
    Recruiting
  • UMC Utrecht
    Utrecht, Netherlands
    Recruiting
  • Vall d'Hebron
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital 12 de Octubre
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Clinica Universidad de Navarra
    Pamplona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario de Navarra
    Pamplona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Instituto Valenciano de Oncologia
    Valencia, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Sarah Cannon Research Institute
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Active not recruiting
  • Florida Cancer Specialists
    Fort Myers, Florida, United States
    Completed
  • Karmanos Cancer Institute
    Detroit, Michigan, United States
    Completed
  • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Completed
  • SSM OKC Hightower Clinical
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
    Completed

+4 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

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.