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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Novel SEQUEnced Immunotherapy With Anti-angiogenesis and Chemotherapy in Advanced gastroesophageaL Adenocarcinoma

Phase 2 Study of Novel SEQUEnced Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) With Anti-angiogenesis and Chemotherapy in Advanced Gastric and gastroesophageaL Junction (GEJ) Adenocarcinoma

Novel SEQUEnced Immunotherapy With Anti-angiogenesis and Chemotherapy in Advanced gastroesophageaL Adenocarcinoma (NCT04069273) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Gastric Cancer and GastroEsophageal Cancer, sponsored by Harry H Yoon. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Cohort 1 \[CLOSED\] Study treatment involves two segments: (1) Induction Immunotherapy segment with pembrolizumab monotherapy every 3 weeks until irRECIST PD and (2) Combination Therapy segment. Nab-paclitaxel may be utilized in place of paclitaxel at investigator's discretion for subjects with paclitaxel reactions. Cohort 2 Patients are randomized to Arm A or B. Treatment in both arms includes pembrolizumab + RAM + paclitaxel.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Gastric Cancer and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 58 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Gastric Cancer subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Written willing to sign a consent form and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information prior to registration. NOTE: HIPAA authorization may be included in the willing to sign a consent form or obtained separately. - Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent. - ECOG Performance Status (PS) of 0-1within 28 days prior to registration. NOTE: Within 0-3 days prior to the anticipated C1D1, ECOG PS must be 0-1. - Tumor tissue must be obtained from a biopsy performed either (a) prior to registration or (b) prior to C1D1, as described below. - Prior to registration: if a biopsy was performed prior to registration and no interval systemic anti-cancer treatment was administered between the biopsy collection and C1D1, part of that tissue is required for correlative analysis, and must be identified during screening and shipped after registration. In this situation, tissue from a new biopsy is not required. - Prior to C1D1: For all other subjects, a new biopsy prior to C1D1 is required (research biopsy per parallel biopsy protocol entitled: "Exploration of tumor biology in patients with metastatic esophageal and gastric cancer", \[biorepository protocol for prospective tissue collection\]) to obtain tissue. - NOTE: If tissue cannot be obtained by either of the above approaches (e.g., clinically contraindicated), the subject is not eligible for trial participation. - Willingness to provide tissue and blood samples for correlative research purposes and presence of a malignant lesion that is amenable to repeat biopsy while on study protocol (e.g., primary tumor that can be accessed by EGD). --NOTE: Enrollment in parallel biopsy protocol, if open for enrollment, is required. Parallel biopsy protocol entitled: "Exploration of tumor biology in patients with metastatic esophageal and gastric cancer (biorepository protocol for prospective tissue collection)". ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Written informed consent and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information prior to registration. NOTE: HIPAA authorization may be included in the informed consent or obtained separately. * Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent. * ECOG Performance Status (PS) of 0-1within 28 days prior to registration. NOTE: Within 0-3 days prior to the anticipated C1D1, ECOG PS must be 0-1. * Tumor tissue must be obtained from a biopsy performed either (a) prior to registration or (b) prior to C1D1, as described below. * Prior to registration: if a biopsy was performed prior to registration and no interval systemic anti-cancer treatment was administered between the biopsy collection and C1D1, part of that tissue is required for correlative analysis, and must be identified during screening and shipped after registration. In this situation, tissue from a new biopsy is not required. * Prior to C1D1: For all other subjects, a new biopsy prior to C1D1 is required (research biopsy per parallel biopsy protocol entitled: "Exploration of tumor biology in patients with metastatic esophageal and gastric cancer", \[biorepository protocol for prospective tissue collection\]) to obtain tissue. * NOTE: If tissue cannot be obtained by either of the above approaches (e.g., clinically contraindicated), the subject is not eligible for trial participation. * Willingness to provide tissue and blood samples for correlative research purposes and presence of a malignant lesion that is amenable to repeat biopsy while on study protocol (e.g., primary tumor that can be accessed by EGD). --NOTE: Enrollment in parallel biopsy protocol, if open for enrollment, is required. Parallel biopsy protocol entitled: "Exploration of tumor biology in patients with metastatic esophageal and gastric cancer (biorepository protocol for prospective tissue collection)". * PD-L1 results are required, if available. If PD-L1 testing has not been done, it should be ordered as standard of care prior to C1D1. PD-L1 testing must be performed by a CLIA certified lab using the Dako 22C3 antibody. * Histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the stomach or GEJ. * Metastatic, recurrent, or locally advanced unresectable disease. * Candidate for pembrolizumab, ramucirumab, and paclitaxel (or nab-paclitaxel) * Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in the table below. All screening labs to be obtained within 28 days prior to registration. NOTE: Labs must also be obtained within 10 days prior to C1D1 treatment. * Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥ 1,100/mm3 * Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 8.5 g/dL without transfusion or EPO dependency * Platelets ≥ 100,000 / mcL * Creatinine OR Calculated creatinine clearance (institutional standard for calculation of CrCl may be used) ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) OR ≥ 60 mL/min for subject with creatinine levels \> 1.5 x institutional ULN * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 X ULN OR Direct bilirubin ≤ ULN for subjects with total bilirubin levels \> 1.5 ULN OR total bilirubin ≤ 2 x ULN if liver metastases are present (patients with Gilbert's syndrome are allowed) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 X ULN OR ≤ 5 x ULN for subjects with liver metastases * Albumin \> 3.0 g/dL * Females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to registration. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required. NOTE: Females are considered of child bearing potential unless they are surgically sterile (have undergone a hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or they are naturally postmenopausal for at least 12 consecutive months * Females of childbearing potential and males must be willing to abstain from heterosexual intercourse or to use 2 forms of effective methods of contraception from the time of informed consent (females)/prior to C1D1 (males) until 120 days after treatment discontinuation. * Willingness to return to the enrolling institution for follow up Exclusion Criteria for all cohorts: * Past medical history of interstitial lung disease (ILD), drug-induced ILD, radiation pneumonitis which required steroid treatment, or any evidence of clinically active interstitial lung disease (relevant for ramucirumab). * Any of the following cardiac criteria: * Clinically important abnormalities in rhythm, conduction or morphology of resting ECG e.g., clinically important forms of complete left bundle branch block, third degree heart block, second degree heart block, mean resting corrected QT interval (QTc using Fridericia's formula) \> 470 msec, PR interval \>250msec. NOTE: Investigators are encouraged to discuss potentially clinically important arrythmias with a cardiologist and consider implementing more frequent monitoring if appropriate (e.g., more frequent ECGs). * Symptomatic heart failure, uncontrolled hypokalemia despite repletion, congenital long QT syndrome, family history of long QT syndrome or unexplained sudden death under 40 years of age in first degree relatives. NOTE: Factors that increase risk of QTc prolongation or risk of arrhythmia, such as concomitant medications, may require increased monitoring during Combination Therapy (See Section 7). * The patient has experienced any arterial thromboembolic events, including but not limited to myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, cerebrovascular accident, or unstable angina, within 6 months prior to first dose of protocol therapy. * The patient has uncontrolled or poorly-controlled hypertension (\>160 mmHg systolic or \> 100 mmHg diastolic for \>4 weeks) despite standard medical management. * The patient has experienced any Grade 3-4 GI bleeding within 3 months prior to first dose of protocol therapy (relevant for ramucirumab). * Cirrhosis at a level of Child-Pugh B (or worse) or cirrhosis (any degree) with a history of hepatic encephalopathy or clinically meaningful ascites resulting from cirrhosis. Clinically meaningful ascites is defined as ascites from cirrhosis requiring diuretics or paracentesis (relevant for ramucirumab). * Hemoptysis (defined as bright red blood or ≥ 1/2 teaspoon) within 2 months prior to first dose of protocol therapy or with radiographic evidence of intratumor cavitation or has radiologically documented evidence of major blood vessel invasion or encasement by cancer (relevant for ramucirumab) that in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk as standard clinical practice when combined with ramucirumab. * The patient has a prior history of GI perforation/fistula (within 6 months of first dose of protocol therapy) that in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk as standard clinical practice when combined with ramucirumab. * The patient has a serious or nonhealing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture within 28 days prior to first dose of protocol therapy that in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk as standard clinical practice when combined with ramucirumab. * The patient has undergone major surgery within 28 days prior to first dose of protocol therapy prior to the first dose of protocol therapy. The patient has elective or planned major surgery to be performed during the course of the clinical trial (relevant for ramucirumab). * Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens. * Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 6 months (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs) that in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk as standard clinical practice when combined with pembrolizumab. Replacement therapy (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment. NOTE: Inhaled steroids or steroid injections for joint disease are allowed. * Is currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment. * Prior therapy combining anti-angiogenesis agent with cytotoxic agent(s). NOTE: Prior single-agent anti-angiogenesis therapy (eg, ramucirumab monotherapy) is allowed. * Patients known to be HIV positive. * Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA \[qualitative\] is detected). * Prior severe allergic reactions to a monoclonal antibody or hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab or any of its excipients. * Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb), excluding anti-PD-1/-L1 therapy, within 3 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 3 weeks earlier. * Other active malignancy which requires current treatment and which in the opinion of the site investigator is likely to interfere with evaluation of disease assessment. NOTE: Continuation of hormonal therapies is allowed. * Patients with known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability. * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness which in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk when combined with study treatment, including but not limited to the following: * Symptomatic congestive heart failure * Unstable angina pectoris * Severely impaired lung function * Known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis) * Uncontrolled diabetes as defined by fasting serum glucose \>1.5 x ULN (NOTE: Optimal glycemic control should be achieved before starting trial therapy.) * Significant underlying liver disease such as severe cirrhosis or hepatic impairment * Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial. * Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy prior to therapy initiation and that in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk as standard clinical practice when starting study treatment. * Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. * Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment. * Has known history of or any evidence of active, non-infectious pneumonitis that in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk as standard of clinical practice when starting study treatment. * Currently uncontrolled hyper/hypothyroidism or hyper/hypocortism if in the opinion of the investigator they pose unacceptably high risk when combined with study treatment. * Received live vaccine or live attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to registration. NOTE: Administration of killed vaccines is allowed. * Prior toxicity from immune checkpoint inhibitors (eg. pancreatitis, enteritis) that was symptomatic or required medical intervention ≤ 6 months prior to registration, which in the opinion of the investigator poses unacceptably high risk as standard clinical practice when starting study treatment. * Pre-existing motor or sensory neurotoxicity grade 3 or higher. * Prior solid organ or allogeneic transplant. Eligibility specific to Cohort 1: * Inclusion: Measurable disease per RECIST v1.1 * Exclusion: Disease progression according to RECIST v1.1 or irRECIST, or treatment intolerance, during prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti- PD-L2 agent. NOTE: Stable or responsive disease on anti-PD-1/L1-L2 therapy (without concurrent cytotoxic therapy) is allowed. * Exclusion: Weight loss ≥ 5% during prior anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti- PD-L2-containing therapy (from time of initiation of such therapy to most recent dose). Eligibility specific to Cohort 2: * Inclusion: Measurable or evaluable disease per RECIST v1.1. * Inclusion: Received anti-PD-1 therapy with or without concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy as preceding therapy. * Inclusion: PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 1 or tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥ 1 at any time before registration. NOTE: PD-L1 expression status in tissue samples collected at baseline before receiving any prior systemic anticancer therapy are of highest interest.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Pembrolizumab Monotherapy

Pembrolizumab 200 mg IV

DRUG

Ramucirumab

Ramucirumab 10 mg/kg IV

DRUG

Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 IV

Locations (2)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Mayo Clinic- Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Froedtert and The Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04069273), the sponsor (Harry H Yoon), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04069273 clinical trial studying?

Cohort 1 \[CLOSED\] Study treatment involves two segments: (1) Induction Immunotherapy segment with pembrolizumab monotherapy every 3 weeks until irRECIST PD and (2) Combination Therapy segment. Nab-paclitaxel may be utilized in place of paclitaxel at investigator's discretion for subjects with paclitaxel reactions. Cohort 2 Patients are randomized to Arm A or B. Treatment in both arms includes pembrolizumab + RAM + paclitaxel. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT04069273?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04069273?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04069273. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04069273. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.