Zolbetuximab added to FLOT and durvalumab before surgery for CLDN18.2-positive gastric/GEJ cancer
Official title: Phase II Trial of Zolbetuximab, Durvalumab, and FLOT (5-FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin, and Docetaxel) Combination Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for CLDN18.2-Positive Gastric Cancer or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
Run by National Cancer Center, Japan · NCT07872722 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether adding zolbetuximab to FLOT chemotherapy plus durvalumab can improve tumor response before surgery in adults with CLDN18.2-positive gastric or GEJ cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 29 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | National Cancer Center, Japan Government |
| Drugs / interventions | zolbetuximab, durvalumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 4 sites (Saitama and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2030 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07872722 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with untreated, CLDN18.2-positive, locally advanced, resectable gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, and adequate organ function.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose tumors do not express CLDN18.2 or who cannot tolerate the added therapy may not benefit.
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 single-arm, open-label Phase II trial conducted at four sites in Japan. Eligible participants have untreated, locally advanced, resectable gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma that expresses CLDN18.2 and meet specific health criteria. Participants receive zolbetuximab with FLOT plus durvalumab as neoadjuvant therapy to see if the treatment increases pathological response rates. Primary goals focus on histological response after the neoadjuvant regimen to inform potential benefits in recurrence and survival. Safety will be monitored throughout treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may have a higher chance of a strong tumor response before surgery, potentially reducing recurrence and improving long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: CLDN18.2-targeted therapy with chemotherapy has shown benefit in similar gastric cancer settings, supporting exploration in this perioperative approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Histologically confirmed gastric cancer (either a general histological type or a lymphoid stroma-type carcinoma) on endoscopic biopsy from the primary lesion in the stomach or gastroesophageal junction.
2. No prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, including treatment for other cancers, and classified as cT2-4 and/or cN+ M0 according to the UICC TNM Classification, 8th edition.
3. Moderate or greater membranous staining in \>-75% of tumor cells confirmed by CLDN18.2 immunohistochemistry.
4. No distant metastasis on contrast-enhanced CT of the chest, upper abdomen, and pelvis.
5. No prior treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
6. Age \>=18 years at the time of enrollment.
7. ECOG Performance Status (PS) of 0 or 1.
8. No history of any surgical treatment for gastric cancer other than endoscopic resection (ESD or EMR).
9. No marked bleeding or severe stenosis from the gastric cancer lesion.
10. Laboratory test values obtained within 14 days before enrollment meet a given criteria.
11. Written consent to participate in the study has been obtained from the patient.
12. Female patients are not pregnant and meet all of the following:
* Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP), or agrees to follow the contraception guidance throughout the treatment period, for at least 9 months after the last dose of oxaliplatin, and for at least 6 months after the last dose of all other study drugs.
* Agrees not to breastfeed during the screening period, the study period, and for 6 months after the last dose of study drug.
* Agrees not to donate ova during the screening period, the study period, for 9 months after the last dose of oxaliplatin, and for 6 months after the last dose of all other study drugs.
Male patients with a female partner of childbearing potential agree to use contraception during the study period and for at least 6 months after the last dose of study drug. Male patients with a pregnant or breastfeeding partner agree to remain abstinent or use a condom during that period. Male patients agree not to donate sperm from the start of screening through 6 months after the last dose of study drug.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with a history of severe allergic reaction or intolerance to zolbetuximab or to known components of humanized or chimeric monoclonal antibodies.
2. Patients known to have immediate or delayed hypersensitivity to any component of the study drugs, or for whom any component of the study drugs is contraindicated.
3. Patients who have used another investigational drug or device within 28 days before the first dose of study drug.
4. Patients with a history of systemic immunosuppressive therapy, such as systemic corticosteroids, within 14 days before the first dose of study drug.
5. Patients with complete gastric outlet obstruction, or partial obstruction with persistent recurrent vomiting.
6. Patients with significant gastric bleeding and/or untreated gastric ulcer judged by the investigator to be inappropriate for participation in this study.
7. Patients with central nervous system metastasis and/or carcinomatous meningitis from gastric/GEJ cancer.
8. Patients known to be positive for human immunodeficiency virus infection, or known to have active hepatitis B (positive for hepatitis B surface antigen) or hepatitis C infection.
9. Patients who have experienced unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or intervention/hospitalization for heart failure due to ventricular arrhythmia within 6 months before the first dose of study drug.
10. Patients with active infection requiring systemic treatment who have not fully recovered within 7 days before the first dose of study drug.
11. Patients with active autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppressive therapy within 3 months before the first dose of study drug.
12. Patients with a clinically significant disease or comorbidity that, in the investigator's judgment, would adversely affect the safe conduct of treatment in this study or make the patient inappropriate for participation.
13. Patients with a psychiatric disorder or social situation that, in the investigator's judgment, could interfere with compliance with the study.
14. Patients who have undergone major surgery within 28 days before the first dose of study drug.
15. Patients who have not fully recovered from major surgery by 14 days before the first dose of study drug.
16. Patients judged by the investigator to have another malignancy requiring treatment.
17. Patients who are ineligible for FLOT therapy or durvalumab administration due to a history of prior conditions or comorbidities.
18. Patients meeting any of the following (surgical-related):
(ア) Judged by the investigator to be unresectable with curative intent. (イ) Meets the following criterion for local disease by clinical TNM staging: cT1N0.
Where it's running
-
National Cancer Center Hospital
Tokyo, Japan Recruiting -
Saitama Cancer Center
Saitama, Japan Not yet recruiting -
The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR
Tokyo, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Kanagawa Cancer Center
Yokohama, Japan Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hirokazu Shoji, M.D., Ph.D.
- Email: hshouji@ncc.go.jp
- Phone: +81.3.3542.2511
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Neoadjuvant trastuzumab, durvalumab, and FLOT for HER2-positive gastric or GEJ cancer
This study tests a pre-surgery treatment combining trastuzumab, durvalumab, and FLOT for patients with HER2-positive locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer to see how many achieve complete tumor disappearance.
-
Durvalumab with FLOT before and after surgery for resectable gastric/GEJ cancer in Chinese patients
This trial tests whether adding durvalumab to FLOT chemotherapy before and after surgery helps Chinese patients with resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer.
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This study tests whether adding histotripsy to ongoing durvalumab helps people with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by boosting the immune response and checking safety.
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Futibatinib and immunotherapy with chemo as first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer
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Adjuvant durvalumab with GEMOX/GC chemotherapy followed by lenvatinib vs capecitabine in biliary tract cancer after surgery
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.