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

Treatment of refractory non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastases using Pemetrexed and Nivolumab injections

Official title: A Multicenter, Prospective, Phase II Study on Intraventricular Injection of Pemetrexed Combined with Nivolumab Via an Ommaya Reservoir for the Treatment of Refractory Non-squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with Leptomeningeal Metastases in Previously Treated Patients

Run by Shanghai Cancer Hospital, China · NCT06901817 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a combination of Pemetrexed and Nivolumab injections can help people with tough-to-treat lung cancer that has spread to the protective layers around the brain.

More Leptomeningeal Metastasis trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment97 (estimated)
SponsorShanghai Cancer Hospital, China
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, prednisone, Nivolumab
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 1, 2025
Main results expectedNovember 2027
Study endsDecember 2027
Registry record updatedMarch 30, 2025
Trial IDNCT06901817 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include patients with confirmed non-small cell lung cancer and evidence of leptomeningeal disease who have a performance status score of 2 or lower.

Probably not a fit

Patients with other types of lung cancer or those who are not able to tolerate intrathecal injections 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 clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intraventricular injections of Pemetrexed and Nivolumab for patients with refractory non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges. Participants will receive a combination of these drugs via an Ommaya reservoir every four weeks, alongside a preliminary dose of dexamethasone. The study will assess both the safety of this treatment approach and its effectiveness in controlling the disease.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with a challenging form of cancer that currently has limited treatment options.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies exploring similar intrathecal therapies, this specific combination and method of administration is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who sign the informed consent form and are willing to complete the study according to the protocol;
* Patients must have radiographic and/or cerebrospinal fluid cytology evidence of leptomeningeal disease (LMD). The diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer must be confirmed, based on histological and/or cytological diagnosis.
* Patients must have an ECOG performance status score of ≤ 2.
* Patients may use steroids to control symptoms related to the central nervous system, but the dose must be ≤ 4 mg of dexamethasone (or equivalent dose) within 24 hours. The patient's neurological symptoms should remain stable for at least 7 days, or they are reducing the dose of steroids. Physiological replacement doses for adrenal insufficiency are allowed.
* Patients who have received brain and/or spinal radiotherapy, including whole-brain radiation, stereotactic radiosurgery, or SBRT, can be enrolled, but must have completed radiation therapy at least 7 days before starting treatment.
* Patients who have received approved systemic treatments may continue the systemic treatment chosen by the researcher. Concurrent use of other drugs for intrathecal treatment is not allowed. For patients who have received other systemic treatments, the minimum washout periods are as follows:

  1. Patients who have received intrathecal treatment must have had their last treatment at least 7 days before starting the study treatment.
  2. Patients who have received systemic chemotherapy must have had their last treatment at least 14 days before starting the study treatment.
  3. Patients who have received approved systemic immunotherapy (such as anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA4) must have had their last treatment at least 2 weeks before starting the study treatment.
  4. Patients who have received any other investigational drugs must have had their last treatment at least 14 days before starting the study treatment.
* Age ≥ 18 years.
* Able to provide written informed consent, including compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form.
* Patients must have the organ and bone marrow function defined in Table 1 below.
* No contraindications to the installation of an Ommaya reservoir.
* Criteria for refractory leptomeningeal metastasis:

  1. Failed first- or second-generation TKI treatment, T790M mutation-negative;
  2. Failed third-generation TKI treatment;
  3. EGFR gene mutation-negative, failed first-line treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who require a VP shunt due to increased intracranial pressure.
* Patients must not have active autoimmune diseases requiring systemic treatment in the past two years (i.e., using disease-modifying agents, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs). Alternative therapies (such as thyroxine, insulin, or physiological corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency) are not considered forms of systemic treatment.
* Subjects who need systemic treatment within 14 days prior to administration of the study drug, including the use of corticosteroids (\>4 mg daily dexamethasone equivalent dose) or other immunosuppressive drugs. Inhaled or topical steroids and adrenal replacement therapy at a daily replacement dose \>10 mg prednisone equivalent are allowed in the absence of active autoimmune diseases.
* Patients who have previously received PD-1 and/or anti-CTLA-4 therapy are eligible, unless they are experiencing \> grade 2 side effects from such treatments. Ongoing physiological replacement doses for adrenal and thyroid insufficiency are allowed in the protocol.
* Patients currently receiving experimental anti-cancer drugs (co-treatment with approved targeted therapies is permitted).
* Patients with a history of other malignancies are eligible if they have appropriately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or other cancers with no evidence of disease for more than 5 years.
* Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days prior to randomization, receiving investigational drugs and any concomitant treatments containing investigational drugs.
* Immunodeficiency, HIV infection;
* Severe dysfunction of the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys;
* Uncontrolled infection or active infection;
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Where it's running

  • Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
    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.