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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

A Phase II Study of Nivolumab With Ipilimumab and Cabozantinib in Patients With Untreated Renal Cell Carcinoma Brain Metastases

A Phase II Study of Nivolumab With Ipilimumab and Cabozantinib in Patients With Untreated Renal Cell Carcinoma Brain Metastases (NCT05048212) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Brain Metastases and Renal Cell Carcinoma, sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. 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

A Phase II Study of Nivolumab with Ipilimumab and Cabozantinib in Patients with Untreated Renal Cell Carcinoma Brain Metastases

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Brain Metastases 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.

With a target enrollment of 20 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Inclusion Criteria 1. Signed willing to sign a consent form Form (ICF) 2. Ability and willingness to comply with the requirements of the study protocol 3. Age ≥18 years 4. Life expectancy \>12 weeks 5. Asymptomatic and off steroids for at least 10 days except patients: who have mild symptoms from intracranial disease that do not affect their performance status 6. Prior therapies for extracranial metastatic renal cell carcinoma as long as it did not include anti- CTLA-4 or cabozantinib or MET inhibitors 7. Patients with diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) metastatic renal cell carcinoma and at least one measurable intracranial target lesion for which all of the following criteria are met: \- Previously untreated or progressive after previous local therapy(limited to SRS and surgery) - Immediate local therapy clinically not indicated or patient is not a suitable candidate to receive immediate local therapy. - 5mm to 30mm, as determined by MRI with contrast. 8. Adequate hematologic and essential organ function, defined by the following laboratory results obtained within 14 days prior to the first study treatment (C1D1) - Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500 cells/µL - White blood cell (WBC) counts \>2500/µ -- Lymphocyte count ≥500/µL - Platelet count ≥ 100,000/µL; - blood count (hemoglobin) at least 9.0 g/dL - Serum albumin≥2.8g/dl - Total bilirubin ≤1.5×upper limit of normal (ULN) with the following exception: Patients with known Gilbert disease who have serum bilirubin level ≤3×ULN may be enrolled. \- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3x upper limit of normal (ULN). - Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3x upper limit of normal (ULN). - Alkaline phosphatase ≤5×ULN in patients with documented bone metastases. ...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 1. Signed Informed Consent Form (ICF) 2. Ability and willingness to comply with the requirements of the study protocol 3. Age ≥18 years 4. Life expectancy \>12 weeks 5. Asymptomatic and off steroids for at least 10 days except patients: who have mild symptoms from intracranial disease that do not affect their performance status 6. Prior therapies for extracranial metastatic renal cell carcinoma as long as it did not include anti- CTLA-4 or cabozantinib or MET inhibitors 7. Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma and at least one measurable intracranial target lesion for which all of the following criteria are met: \- Previously untreated or progressive after previous local therapy(limited to SRS and surgery) * Immediate local therapy clinically not indicated or patient is not a suitable candidate to receive immediate local therapy. * 5mm to 30mm, as determined by MRI with contrast. 8. Adequate hematologic and essential organ function, defined by the following laboratory results obtained within 14 days prior to the first study treatment (C1D1) * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500 cells/µL * White blood cell (WBC) counts \>2500/µ -- Lymphocyte count ≥500/µL * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/µL; * Hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dL * Serum albumin≥2.8g/dl * Total bilirubin ≤1.5×upper limit of normal (ULN) with the following exception: Patients with known Gilbert disease who have serum bilirubin level ≤3×ULN may be enrolled. \- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3x upper limit of normal (ULN). * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3x upper limit of normal (ULN). * Alkaline phosphatase ≤5×ULN in patients with documented bone metastases. * Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5x ULN or calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 40mL/min (≥ 0.675mL/sec) using the Cockcroft-Gault equation: Males: (140 - age) x weight (kg)/(serum creatinine \[mg/dL\] × 72)Females: \[(140 - age) x weight (kg)/(serum creatinine \[mg/dL\] × 72)\] × 0.85 * Urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≤ 1 mg/mg (≤ 113.2 mg/mmol), or 24-h urine protein ≤ 1 g. 9. For female patients of childbearing potential and male patients with partners of childbearing potential, agreement (by patient and/or partner) to use highly effective form(s) of contraception (i.e., one that results in a low failure rate \[\<1% per year\] when used consistently and correctly) and to continue its use for at least 12 months after the last dose of Cabozantinib and Nivolumab 10. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0 to 2 (see Appendix 5) 11. INR and aPTT ≤1.5×ULN within 7 days prior to study enrollment 12. Recovery to baseline or ≤ Grade 1 CTCAE v5 from toxicities related to any prior treatments, unless AE(s) are clinically nonsignificant and/or stable on supportive therapy. Exclusion Criteria 1. Symptomatic brain metastases requiring immediate local interventions such as craniotomy or SRS or whole brain radiation. 2. Patients who require immediate surgical or radiotherapy interventions for extra-cranial lesions. 3. Radiation therapy for bone metastasis within 2 weeks or any other radiation therapy within 4 weeks before first dose of study treatment. Systemic treatment with radionuclides within 6 weeks before first dose of study treatment. Subjects with clinically relevant ongoing complications from prior radiation therapy are not eligible. 4. Requiring corticosteroid dose in 10 days prior to administration of first dose of study drug with following exceptions \- Symptomatic patients who have stable or decreasing corticosteroid use in the past 10 days may be included 5. Patients with Leptomeningeal disease. 6. Any approved anticancer therapy, including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy within 4 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment; however, the following are allowed: * Hormone-replacement therapy or oral contraceptives * Herbal therapy \>1 week prior to Cycle 1, Day 1 (herbal therapy intended as anticancer therapy must be discontinued at least 1 week prior to Cycle 1,Day 1) 7. Current, recent (within 3 weeks of the first infusion of this study), or planned participation in an experimental drug study. 8. AEs from prior anticancer therapy that have not resolved to Grade ≤1 except for alopecia. 9. Known clinically significant liver disease, including active viral, alcoholic, or other hepatitis; \>Childes A cirrhosis; fatty liver; and inherited liver disease. 10. Patients with acute leukemias, accelerated/blast-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Burkitt lymphoma, plasma cell leukemia, or non-secretory myeloma. 11. Patients who are pregnant, lactating, or breastfeeding. 12. Known hypersensitivity to recombinant human antibodies. 13. Inability to undergo MRI secondary to Metal implant and Gadolinium contrast allergy. 14. Inability to comply with study and follow-up procedures. 15. History of autoimmune disease, including but not limited to systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, vascular thrombosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, Sjögren's syndrome, Bell's palsy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, vasculitis, or glomerulonephritis with the following exception: * Patients with a history of autoimmune hypothyroidism on a stable dose of thyroid replacement hormone may be eligible. * Patients with controlled Type 1 diabetes mellitus on a stable insulin regimen may be eligible * Patients with eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus of vitiligo with dermatologic manifestations only (e.g., patients with psoriatic arthritis would be excluded) are permitted provided that they meet the following conditions: Patients with psoriasis must have a baseline ophthalmologic exam to rule out ocular manifestations * Rash must cover less than 10% of body surface area (BSA), Disease is well controlled at baseline and only requiring low potency topical steroids (e.g., hydrocortisone 2.5%, hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%, flucinolone 0.01%, desonide 0.05%, aclometasone dipropionate 0.05%). * No acute exacerbations of underlying condition within the last 12 months (not requiring psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation \[PUVA\], methotrexate, retinoids, biologic agents, oral calcineurin inhibitors; high potency or oral steroids) 16. History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonitis (including drug induced), organizing pneumonia (i.e., bronchiolitis obliterans, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, etc.), or evidence of active pneumonitis on screening chest computed tomography (CT) scan with the following exception -History of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) is permitted. 17. Any other diseases, metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of an investigational drug or that may affect the interpretation of the results or render the patient at high risk from treatment complications. 18. History of HIV infection or active hepatitis B (chronic or acute) or hepatitis C infection with the following exception: * Patients with past or resolved hepatitis B infection (defined as having a negative hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] test and a positive anti-HBc \[antibody to hepatitis B core antigen\] antibody test) are eligible. * Patients positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody are eligible only if polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is negative for HCV RNA. 19. Active tuberculosis. 20. Severe infections within 4 weeks prior to Cycle 1, Day 1, including but not limited to hospitalization for complications of infection, bacteremia, or severe pneumonia 21. Signs or symptoms of infection within 2 weeks prior to Cycle 1, Day 1. 22. Received oral or IV antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to Cycle 1, Day 1 with the following exception. \- Patients receiving prophylactic antibiotics (e.g., for prevention of a urinary tract infection or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are eligible. 23. Administration of a live, attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks before Cycle 1, Day 1 or anticipation that such a live, attenuated vaccine will be required during the study \- Influenza vaccination should be given during influenza season only (approximately October to March). Patients must not receive live, attenuated influenza vaccine (e.g., FluMist) within 4 weeks prior to Cycle 1, Day 1 or at any time during the study and at least 5 months after last dose of nivolumab. 24. Malignancies other than the disease under study within 5 years prior to Cycle 1, Day 1, with the exception of those with a negligible risk of metastasis or death and with expected curative outcome (such as adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, basal or squamous cell skin cancer, localized prostate cancer treated surgically with curative intent, or ductal carcinoma in situ treated surgically with curative intent) or undergoing active surveillance per standard-of-care management (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia Rai Stage 0, prostate cancer with Gleason score ≤ 6, and prostate-specific antigen \[PSA\] ≤ 10 mg/mL, etc.). 25. Life expectancy of less than 12 weeks

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Nivolumab

Given by IV

DRUG

Ipilimumab

Given by IV

DRUG

Cabozantinib

Given by IV

Locations (1)

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.

M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05048212), the sponsor (M.D. Anderson Cancer Center), 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 NCT05048212 clinical trial studying?

A Phase II Study of Nivolumab with Ipilimumab and Cabozantinib in Patients with Untreated Renal Cell Carcinoma Brain Metastases The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT05048212?

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 NCT05048212?

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 NCT05048212. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05048212. 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.