Leptomeningeal MetastasisPhase 1/2NCT06762080
Intrathecal Combination of Programmed Death-1 (PD-1)/Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4) Bispecific Antibody and Pemetrexed for Leptomeningeal Metastasis
A Phase 1/2 study testing Cadonilimab (AK104) and Pemetrexed (Alimta) in people with Leptomeningeal Metastasis, run by Guangzhou Medical University at 3 sites in China.
Trial summary
Leptomeningeal metastasis, characterized by tumor cells infiltrating and proliferating in the subarachnoid space, represents a distinct pattern of central nervous system involvement and is a fatal complication of malignant tumors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Leptomeningeal Metastasis
- What is being tested?
- Cadonilimab (AK104) and Pemetrexed (Alimta)
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 39 participants
- Where
- 3 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 7 Mar 2025to 30 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of solid tumors; Cerebrospinal fluid cytopathology is positive.
- Male or female aged between 21 and 75 years; Normal liver and kidney function; WBC≥4000/mm3, Plt≥100000/mm3.
- No history of severe nervous system disease; No severe dyscrasia.
Who cannot join
- Any evidence of nervous system failure, including severe encephalopathy, grade 3 or 4 leukoencephalopathy on imaging, and Glasgow Coma Score less than 11.
- Any evidence of extensive and lethal progressive systemic diseases without effective treatment.
- A history of HIV or AIDS, acute or chronic hepatitis B or C infection, previous anti-PD1 therapy-induced pneumonitis, or have ongoing >Grade 2 adverse events of such therapy; or ongoing autoimmune disease that required systemic treatment in the past 2 years.
- The first month to treatment, as well as during induction and consolidation therapy, new drugs effective against leptomeningeal metastases were used, excluding those previously administered. These primarily included small molecule targeted therapies, such as EGFR-TKI/ALK-TKI drugs like Osimertinib and Lorlatinib.
- Patients with poor compliance or other reasons that were unsuitable for this study.
Trial locations and contacts
3 sites in 1 country.
China3 sites
Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing, 101100
The Affiliated Huizhou Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University
Huizhou, Guangdong, 516000
Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University
Shanghai
About this study
Official title: Intrathecal Administration of PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody Plus Pemetrexed in Patients With Leptomeningeal Metastasis From Solid Tumors: A Phase I/II Study
Leptomeningeal metastasis, characterized by tumor cells infiltrating and proliferating in the subarachnoid space, represents a distinct pattern of central nervous system involvement and is a fatal complication of malignant tumors. This phase I/II study is to evaluate the recommended dose, safety, feasibility, and therapeutic response of intrathecal Programmed Death-1 (PD-1)/Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4) bispecific antibodies combined with pemetrexed in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.
Read the detailed description
Leptomeningeal metastasis is a severe complication of advanced cancer, traditionally managed with intrathecal chemotherapy. Recently, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for solid tumors. The preliminary results from our previous study on PD-1 combined with pemetrexed intrathecal administration showed safety and feasibility for leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumors with potential activity. Currently, a clinical trial in Switzerland is evaluating the efficacy of dual immunotherapy (PD-1 plus CTLA-4 inhibitors) administered intrathecally for leptomeningeal metastasis. Cadonilimab, the world's first PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, has shown favorable safety and efficacy in clinical practice, further supporting its potential in this setting. The primary objectives are to determine the recommended dose of intrathecal cadonilimab in combination with pemetrexed and to assess safety based on the incidence of treatment-related adverse events. Clinical response rate, disease control rate, and overall survival are also evaluated. Patients undergo cerebrospinal fluid and blood specimen collection to evaluate potential clinical, molecular, and/or immune predictors of treatment efficacy and safety.
- Conditions
- Leptomeningeal Metastasis
- Being tested
- Cadonilimab (AK104), Pemetrexed (Alimta)
- Keywords
- Cadonilimab, PD-1/CTLA-4, Pemetrexed, Intrathecal, Leptomeningeal Metastasis
- Medical subject headings
- Meningeal Carcinomatosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cadonilimab (AK104)Drug
Intrathecal injection of PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody was administered every two weeks for six weeks during the induction phase, followed by monthly injections during the maintenance phase, until recurrence or death.
Pemetrexed (Alimta)Drug
Pemetrexed was administrated by intrathecal injection, first as induction therapy, twice per week for 2 weeks, followed by consolidation therapy, once per week for 4 weeks, then maintenance therapy, once per month until the patient's death, leptomeningeal metastasis progresses, or intolerable severe adverse events occurred.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody with Pemetrexed | Experimental | This study is a prospective, single-arm, Phase I/II clinical trial. The primary objective is to determine the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) for the intrathecal combination of PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody with pemetrexed and and safety based on the incidence of treatment-related adverse events. Clinical response rate (CRR), disease control rate (DCR) and overall survival (OS) are also evaluated. Patients will have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood specimen collection for the evaluation of predictors (clinical, molecular, and/or immune) of the efficacy and safety of this regimen. Receives: Drug: Cadonilimab (AK104); Drug: Pemetrexed (Alimta) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Recommended Phase II Dose (RP2D)
The recommended phase II dose. The dose limiting toxicity was defined as ≥ grade 3 neurological toxicities (e.g., meningitis) or other grade 4 toxicity.
Measured: Dose limiting toxicity was assessed during the first 6 weeks after the first intrathecal administration.
Incidence of treatment-related adverse events
The incidence of treatment-related adverse events were measured for determining tolerability and safety. Adverse events (AEs) are evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Events of grade 3-5 are defined as moderate and severe adverse events
Measured: From date of treatment until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Jan 2025
- Study start7 Mar 2025
- Primary completion30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Leptomeningeal MetastasisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Guangzhou Medical University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Jinshan Hospital Fudan University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zhenyu Pan, Jinshan Hospital Fudan University
- Investigators
- Zhenyu Pan, PhD, MD, Principal investigator, Jinshan Hospital Fudan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06762080
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IMPACT
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Jan 2025
- Last updated
- 13 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Pan Z, Yang G, Cui J, Li W, Li Y, Gao P, Jiang T, Sun Y, Dong L, Song Y, Zhao G. A Pilot Phase 1 Study of Intrathecal Pemetrexed for Refractory Leptomeningeal Metastases From Non-small-cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol. 2019 Aug 30;9:838. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00838. eCollection 2019.
PubMed 31544065Glitza Oliva IC, Ferguson SD, Bassett R Jr, Foster AP, John I, Hennegan TD, Rohlfs M, Richard J, Iqbal M, Dett T, Lacey C, Jackson N, Rodgers T, Phillips S, Duncan S, Haydu L, Lin R, Amaria RN, Wong MK, Diab A, Yee C, Patel SP, McQuade JL, Fischer GM, McCutcheon IE, O'Brien BJ, Tummala S, Debnam M, Guha-Thakurta N, Wargo JA, Carapeto FCL, Hudgens CW, Huse JT, Tetzlaff MT, Burton EM, Tawbi HA, Davies MA. Concurrent intrathecal and intravenous nivolumab in leptomeningeal disease: phase 1 trial interim results. Nat Med. 2023 Apr;29(4):898-905. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-02170-x. Epub 2023 Mar 30.
PubMed 36997799
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Intrathecal Administration of PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody Plus Pemetrexed in Patients With Leptomeningeal Metastasis From Solid Tumors: A Phase I/II Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06762080
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IMPACT
- Conditions
- Leptomeningeal Metastasis
- Keywords
- Cadonilimab, PD-1/CTLA-4, Pemetrexed, Intrathecal, Leptomeningeal Metastasis
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Guangzhou Medical UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Jinshan Hospital Fudan University
- Study start
- 7 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Leptomeningeal metastasis, characterized by tumor cells infiltrating and proliferating in the subarachnoid space, represents a distinct pattern of central nervous system involvement and is a fatal complication of malignant tumors. This phase I/II study is to evaluate the recommended dose, safety, feasibility, and therapeutic response of intrathecal Programmed Death-1 (PD-1)/Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4) bispecific antibodies combined with pemetrexed in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.
Detailed description
Leptomeningeal metastasis is a severe complication of advanced cancer, traditionally managed with intrathecal chemotherapy. Recently, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for solid tumors. The preliminary results from our previous study on PD-1 combined with pemetrexed intrathecal administration showed safety and feasibility for leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumors with potential activity. Currently, a clinical trial in Switzerland is evaluating the efficacy of dual immunotherapy (PD-1 plus CTLA-4 inhibitors) administered intrathecally for leptomeningeal metastasis. Cadonilimab, the world's first PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, has shown favorable safety and efficacy in clinical practice, further supporting its potential in this setting. The primary objectives are to determine the recommended dose of intrathecal cadonilimab in combination with pemetrexed and to assess safety based on the incidence of treatment-related adverse events. Clinical response rate, disease control rate, and overall survival are also evaluated. Patients undergo cerebrospinal fluid and blood specimen collection to evaluate potential clinical, molecular, and/or immune predictors of treatment efficacy and safety.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody with Pemetrexed | Experimental | Drug: Cadonilimab (AK104), Drug: Pemetrexed (Alimta)This study is a prospective, single-arm, Phase I/II clinical trial. The primary objective is to determine the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) for the intrathecal combination of PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody with pemetrexed and and safety based on the incidence of treatment-related adverse events. Clinical response rate (CRR), disease control rate (DCR) and overall survival (OS) are also evaluated. Patients will have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood specimen collection for the evaluation of predictors (clinical, molecular, and/or immune) of the efficacy and safety of this regimen. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of solid tumors; Cerebrospinal fluid cytopathology is positive.
- Male or female aged between 21 and 75 years; Normal liver and kidney function; WBC≥4000/mm3, Plt≥100000/mm3.
- No history of severe nervous system disease; No severe dyscrasia.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Any evidence of nervous system failure, including severe encephalopathy, grade 3 or 4 leukoencephalopathy on imaging, and Glasgow Coma Score less than 11.
- Any evidence of extensive and lethal progressive systemic diseases without effective treatment.
- A history of HIV or AIDS, acute or chronic hepatitis B or C infection, previous anti-PD1 therapy-induced pneumonitis, or have ongoing >Grade 2 adverse events of such therapy; or ongoing autoimmune disease that required systemic treatment in the past 2 years.
- The first month to treatment, as well as during induction and consolidation therapy, new drugs effective against leptomeningeal metastases were used, excluding those previously administered. These primarily included small molecule targeted therapies, such as EGFR-TKI/ALK-TKI drugs like Osimertinib and Lorlatinib.
- Patients with poor compliance or other reasons that were unsuitable for this study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cadonilimab (AK104)Intrathecal injection of PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody was administered every two weeks for six weeks during the induction phase, followed by monthly injections during the maintenance phase, until recurrence or death. | Drug | PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody with Pemetrexed |
| Pemetrexed (Alimta)Pemetrexed was administrated by intrathecal injection, first as induction therapy, twice per week for 2 weeks, followed by consolidation therapy, once per week for 4 weeks, then maintenance therapy, once per month until the patient's death, leptomeningeal metastasis progresses, or intolerable severe adverse events occurred. | Drug | PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Antibody with Pemetrexed |
Primary outcome
Recommended Phase II Dose (RP2D)
Time frame: Dose limiting toxicity was assessed during the first 6 weeks after the first intrathecal administration.
The recommended phase II dose. The dose limiting toxicity was defined as ≥ grade 3 neurological toxicities (e.g., meningitis) or other grade 4 toxicity.
Incidence of treatment-related adverse events
Time frame: From date of treatment until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 6 months
The incidence of treatment-related adverse events were measured for determining tolerability and safety. Adverse events (AEs) are evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Events of grade 3-5 are defined as moderate and severe adverse events
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 31544065Pan Z, Yang G, Cui J, Li W, Li Y, Gao P, Jiang T, Sun Y, Dong L, Song Y, Zhao G. A Pilot Phase 1 Study of Intrathecal Pemetrexed for Refractory Leptomeningeal Metastases From Non-small-cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol. 2019 Aug 30;9:838. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00838. eCollection 2019.
- Background: PubMed 36997799Glitza Oliva IC, Ferguson SD, Bassett R Jr, Foster AP, John I, Hennegan TD, Rohlfs M, Richard J, Iqbal M, Dett T, Lacey C, Jackson N, Rodgers T, Phillips S, Duncan S, Haydu L, Lin R, Amaria RN, Wong MK, Diab A, Yee C, Patel SP, McQuade JL, Fischer GM, McCutcheon IE, O'Brien BJ, Tummala S, Debnam M, Guha-Thakurta N, Wargo JA, Carapeto FCL, Hudgens CW, Huse JT, Tetzlaff MT, Burton EM, Tawbi HA, Davies MA. Concurrent intrathecal and intravenous nivolumab in leptomeningeal disease: phase 1 trial interim results. Nat Med. 2023 Apr;29(4):898-905. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-02170-x. Epub 2023 Mar 30.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Zhenyu Pan, PhD, MD principal investigator
Jinshan Hospital Fudan University
3 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study testing Cadonilimab (AK104) and Pemetrexed (Alimta) in people with Leptomeningeal Metastasis, run by Guangzhou Medical University at 3 sites in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 3 sites in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Recommended Phase II Dose (RP2D) (time frame: Dose limiting toxicity was assessed during the first 6 weeks after the first intrathecal administration.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06762080, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Oct 2026.