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Clear Cell Renal Cell CarcinomaPhase 2NCT07187778

Phase II Trial of Single Agent Belzutifan or Pembrolizumab Versus Combination as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (BLAZE)

A Phase 2 study testing Pembrolizumab and Belzutifan in people with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

To learn if belzutifan alone, pembrolizumab alone, or belzutifan and pembrolizumab in combination given before a total or partial nephrectomy (surgery to remove all or part of a kidney) can help to control locally advanced ccRCC. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
What is being tested?
Pembrolizumab and Belzutifan
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
10 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
19 Dec 2025to 19 Jul 2029
Phase
Phase 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 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patient must meet the following criteria to be eligible for participation in the trial:
  • Biopsy or archival tissue proven clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
  • Extra tissue should be submitted if available for correlative analysis. Formalin-fixed paraffinembedded (FFPE) tissue blocks are preferred to slides. Details pertaining to tumor tissue submission can be found in the Lab Procedures Manual.
  • Has intermediate-high risk, high risk, or M1 ccRCC as defined by the following pathological tumor-node metastasis and tumor grading:
  • Intermediate-high risk ccRCC
  • T2 (by radiographic/size criteria), Grade 4 or with sarcomatoid/rhabdoid features (on biopsy), N0, M0
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  • T3 (presence of tumor thrombus, perinephric and/or sinus fat invastion by imaging), any grade, N0, M0 High-risk ccRCC*
  • T4, (by radiographic criteria), any grade, N0, M0
  • T, any stage, any grade, N+, M0 M1 RCC participants who present with the primary kidney tumor, but also solid, isolated, soft tissue metastases that are planned to be completely resected at the time of nephrectomy are eligible (e.g. metastasis to ipsilateral adrenal gland).
  • NOTE: Fuhrman Tumor Grade and/or WHO/ISUP Tumor Grade are required for all subjects entering the study.
  • Evaluated by urology and approved as candidates for nephrectomy.
  • Age ≥18 years and consent to participation.
  • Performance status of 0-1 per Zubrod/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] scale.
  • Absence of distant metastases on imaging of chest, abdomen and pelvis within 42 days of enrollment (by CT, MRI, or PET imaging). Brain imaging is not required unless clinical suspicion per the treating provider.
  • Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial.
  • Screening laboratory criteria include the following: a. ANC ≥1000, PLT ≥ 75, Hgb ≥9 (transfusion allowed if Hgb < 1.5 or = to upper limit of normal
  • Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better.
  • Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) and men must agree to use adequate contraception (see below) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation, including for 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab and 30 days after the last dose of belzutifan. WOCBP will be required to have a negative pregnancy test prior to cycle 1 day 1 of treatment, ≤24 hours prior to first dose of treatment. If a urine test cannot be confirmed as negative (e.g., an ambiguous result), a serum pregnancy test is required. In such cases, the participant must be excluded from participation if the serum pregnancy result is positive.
  • Is a WOCBP and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of Is a WOCBP and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of <1% per year), with low user dependency, or be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis), during the intervention period and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study intervention. The investigator should evaluate the potential for contraceptive method failure (ie, noncompliance, recently initiated) in relationship to the first dose of study intervention. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately
  • This includes all female patients, between the onset of menses (as early as 8 years of age) and 55 years unless the patient presents with an applicable exclusionary factor which may be one of the following:
  • o Postmenopausal (no menses in greater than or equal to 12 consecutive months).
  • History of hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
  • Ovarian failure (Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Estradiol in menopausal range, who have received Whole Pelvic Radiation Therapy).
  • History of bilateral tubal ligation or another surgical sterilization procedure.
  • Male participants are eligible to participate if they agree to the following during the intervention period and for at least 7 days after the last dose of study intervention:
  • Be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) and agree to remain abstinent OR
  • Must agree to use contraception unless confirmed to be azoospermic (vasectomized or secondary to medical cause) as detailed below:
  • Agree to use a male condom plus partner use of an additional contraceptive method when having penile-vaginal intercourse with a WOCBP who is not currently pregnant
  • Note: Men with a pregnant or breastfeeding partner must agree to remain abstinent from penile-vaginal intercourse or use a male condom during each episode of penile-vaginal penetration.
  • Male participants must also agree to use male condom when engaging in any activity that allows for passage of ejaculate to another person of any sex.
  • Contraceptive use by men should be consistent with local regulations regarding the methods of contraception for those participating in clinical studies.
  • Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and 4 months after completion of pembrolizumab and 30 days after last belzutifan administration.
  • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Who cannot join

  • Has any of the following:
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  • A pulse oximeter reading <92% at rest, or
  • Requires intermittent supplemental oxygen, or
  • Requires chronic supplemental oxygen
  • Patients who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy for RCC prior to study.
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  • Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents.
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to belzutifan, pembrolizumab, or other agents used in study.
  • Prior systemic therapy with anti-PD1, PD-L1, PD-L2, or CTLA-4 or received colony-stimulating factors (eg, G-CSF, GM-CSF or recombinant EPO) ≤28 days prior to the first dose of study intervention.
  • Diagnosis of immunodeficiency, active autoimmune disease (per Investigator's discretion), history of pneumonitis, active infection, or known additional malignancy other than RCC.
  • Has a known history of HIV infection. Note: Testing for HIV at screening is only required if mandated by local health authority.
  • Has a known history of HBV (defined as HBsAg reactive) or known active HCV (defined as HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected) infection.
  • Note: Testing for HBV and HCV is only required if mandated by local health authority.
  • Patients who cannot fulfill study requirements for any reason.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women are excluded from this study because pembrolizumab is a Class-D agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects and belzutifan has shown embryofetal toxicity in nonclinical studies
  • Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years.
  • Note: Participants with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or carcinoma (e.g., breast carcinoma, cervical cancer in situ) that have undergone potentially curative therapy are NOT excluded. Invasive cancers are allowed if treated and in complete remission for at least 3 years.
  • Has any known metastatic disease that is not planned to undergo surgical resection at the time of surgery (with the exception of ipsilateral adrenal metastases that are resectable at surgery).
  • Has clinically significant cardiac disease, including unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction ≤6 months from Day 1 of study drug administration, or New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure. Medically controlled arrhythmia stable on medication is permitted.
  • Has moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B or C).
  • Is unable to swallow orally administered medication or has a gastrointestinal disorder affecting absorption (e.g., gastrectomy, partial bowel obstruction, malabsorption).
  • Has received prior treatment with belzutifan or another HIF-2α inhibitor.
  • Is currently receiving either strong (phenobarbital, enzalutamide, phenytoin, rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, nevirapine and St John's Wort) or moderate (eg, bosentan, efavirenz, modafinil) inducers of CYP3A4 that cannot be discontinued for the duration of the study.
  • Note: A current list of strong/moderate inducers of CYP3A4 can be found at the following website:
  • https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-interactions-labeling/drug-development-and-druginteractionstable-substrates-inhibitors-and-inducers • Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
  • Has active TB.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Eric Jonasch, MD contact

(713) 563-7232

ejonasch@mdanderson.org

United States1 site, 1 recruiting

  • The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Eric Jonasch, MD, 713-563-7232, ejonasch@mdanderson.org

    Eric Jonasch, MD

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

To learn if belzutifan alone, pembrolizumab alone, or belzutifan and pembrolizumab in combination given before a total or partial nephrectomy (surgery to remove all or part of a kidney) can help to control locally advanced ccRCC.

Read the detailed description

Primary Objective:

  1. A composite primary endpoint of objective response rate (ORR) or pathologic response rate (PRR) at 12 weeks after neoadjuvant therapy. objective response - defined as partial [≥ 30% decrease in largest diameter] or complete response on imaging at 12 weeks after neoadjuvant therapy (according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors [RECIST] criteria) (Appendix 14.2)

Pathologic response - defined as ≤25% residual viable tumor in post-therapy pathology specimen.

Secondary Objectives:

  1. Relapse-Free Survival (RFS) - defined as the length of time after randomization to date of radiographic/clinical progression, recurrence or death
  2. Safety/Tolerability - including adverse events [by National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE)], laboratory results, vital signs, physical examinations
  3. Quality of Life - as measured by patient-reported outcome measures, including EORTC-QLQ-C30 and FACT-G Single Item GP5 (Appendix 14.3, Appendix 14.4)
Being tested
Pembrolizumab, Belzutifan
Medical subject headings
Carcinoma, Renal Cell

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PembrolizumabDrug

    Also called Keytruda

    Oral administration

  • BelzutifanDrug

    Also called Welireg

    Oral administration

Study groups in NCT07187778
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Combo-B+P: Phase II Combo Neoadjuvant Treatment with Belzutifan (PO/QD) and Pembrolizumab (IV Q3W)ExperimentalParticipants will undergo evaluations at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment
Receives: Drug: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Belzutifan
Mono-B: Phase II Mono Neoadjuvant Treatment with Belzutifan (PO/QD)ExperimentalParticipants will undergo evaluations at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment
Receives: Drug: Belzutifan
Mono-P: Phase II Mono Neoadjuvant Treatment with Pembrolizumab (IV Q3W)ExperimentalParticipants will undergo evaluations at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment
Receives: Drug: Pembrolizumab

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. 1. Safety and Adverse Events (AEs)

    Incidence of Adverse Events, Graded According to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) Version (v) 5.0

    Measured: Through study completion; an average of 1 year

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted23 Sep 2025
  2. Study start19 Dec 2025
  3. Primary completion19 Jul 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion19 Jul 2029 (estimated)

Resources

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 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
10 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07187778
Sponsor's protocol ID
2024-1884
Other IDs
NCI-2025-06635
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
16 Sep 2025
Last updated
20 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Pembrolizumab and Belzutifan in people with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.

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 33 inclusion and 26 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. 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 phase mean?

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?

Contact Eric Jonasch, MD ((713) 563-7232, ejonasch@mdanderson.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

1. Safety and Adverse Events (AEs) (time frame: Through study completion; an average of 1 year). 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 NCT07187778.

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 20 Aug 2026.

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