Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Laparoscopic Anatomical Resection of the Right Anterior Lobe Based on the Laennec Capsule Technique
06:11

Laparoscopic Anatomical Resection of the Right Anterior Lobe Based on the Laennec Capsule Technique

Published on: May 2, 2025

653

Lenvatinib plus Pembrolizumab for Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Gastric, Biliary Tract, or Pancreatic

Mariano Ponz-Sarvisé1, Sun Young Rha2, Carlos A Gomez-Roca3

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology and Program in Solid Tumors, Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Cima-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Cancer Research Communications
|February 26, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study investigated lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for advanced gastric cancer, biliary tract cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The combination showed modest antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in previously treated patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Research
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Gastric cancer, biliary tract cancer (BTC), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) present poor survival outcomes with limited late-line treatment options.
  • Current treatments targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathways have limitations, necessitating novel combination therapies.
  • The LEAP-005 study explored lenvatinib (a VEGF inhibitor) combined with pembrolizumab (an anti-PD-1 antibody) in advanced solid tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer, BTC, and PDAC.
  • To determine the objective response rate (ORR) as a primary endpoint for this combination therapy.
  • To assess the safety and tolerability of the lenvatinib and pembrolizumab combination.

Main Methods:

  • The phase 2 LEAP-005 study enrolled patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer (cohort C), BTC (cohort F), and PDAC (cohort G).
  • Participants received oral lenvatinib (20 mg/day) plus intravenous pembrolizumab (200 mg every 3 weeks).
  • Primary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) and safety assessments.

Main Results:

  • Objective response rates (ORRs) were 15.2% for gastric cancer, 17.6% for BTC, and 7.8% for PDAC.
  • Median follow-up times ranged from 19.5 to 24.2 months across the cohorts.
  • Grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 54.5% (gastric cancer) and 60.8%-59.2% (BTC and PDAC) of participants.

Conclusions:

  • Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab demonstrated modest antitumor activity in previously treated advanced gastric cancer, BTC, and PDAC.
  • The combination therapy exhibited a manageable safety profile.
  • This combination represents a potential therapeutic option for patients with these difficult-to-treat cancers.

More Related Videos

Scaled-Up Preparation of an Intermediate of Upatinib, ACT051-308:36

Scaled-Up Preparation of an Intermediate of Upatinib, ACT051-3

Published on: April 7, 2023

1.6K
Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma06:08

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: June 2, 2023

2.4K

Related Concept Videos

Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.8K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
6.2K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.0K