A Pilot Study to Investigate the Safety and Clinical Activity of Avelumab (MSB0010718C) in Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma After Progression on Platinum-Based Chemotherapy (NCT03076554)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Background: Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are cancers originating in the thymus gland. Platinum-based chemotherapy is standard treatment for them. But not uncommonly, the disease returns and people need more treatment to keep the cancer from growing. The drug Avelumab could help the immune system fight cancer. Objective: To test if avelumab is safe and well-tolerated, and is effective in treating relapsed or refractory thymoma and thymic carcinoma. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with thymoma or thymic carcinoma that has returned or progressed after platinum-containing chemotherapy Design: Participants will be screened with: * Blood, urine, and heart tests * Scan: They lie in a machine that takes pictures of the body. * Physical exam * Medical history * Biopsy: a needle removes a piece of tumor. Samples can be from a previous procedure, although it is desirable to undergo a new biopsy. Participants will have treatment in 2-week cycles. They will continue until the side effects are not tolerable or their disease gets worse. Visits at the following time points are required per protocol. Patients who respond to treatment or have durable stability after at least 12 months of therapy may undergo a dose de-escalation regimen to continue on therapy. * Every 2 weeks: Participants will get avelumab by infusion in a vein (IV). They will get diphenhydramine (benadryl) and acetaminophen (tylenol) by mouth or IV before receiving avelumab to decrease the chances of developing a reaction to avelumab. They will have blood, urine, and heart tests periodically. * Cycles 4 and 7, then every 6 weeks: Scans will be performed to look for shrinkage or growth of tumor. * Cycle 4: Participants will be offered a chance to undergo a biopsy. * 2-4 weeks after stopping treatment: Blood, urine, and heart tests will be performed. Participants might undergo a scan. * 10 weeks after stopping treatment: Blood, urine, and heart tests. * About 6 months after stopping treatment, then every 3 months: Participants will have scans andcan allow genetic testing on their blood and tissue samples.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland
Age range: 18 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Thymoma
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- Chemotherapy Plus Cetuximab Followed by Surgical Resection in Patients With Locally Advanced or Recurrent Thymoma or Thymic Carcinoma — Duarte, California
- A Phase II Trial of Sacituzumab Govitecan in Patients With Advanced Thymic Epithelial Tumors — Palo Alto, California
- Tissue Procurement and Natural History Study of Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma — Bethesda, Maryland
Explore by condition: All Thymoma clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.