Skip to main content
TTrialFinderData
TrialFinderData is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor.

Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2 / Phase 3INTERVENTIONAL

the Efficacy and Safety of Rulonilimab in Combination With Lenvatinib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Phase Ⅱ/III Studies to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Rulonilimab in Combination With Lenvatinib Compared to Placebo in Combination With Lenvatinib as First-Line Therapy in Subjects With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

the Efficacy and Safety of Rulonilimab in Combination With Lenvatinib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (NCT05408221) is a Phase 2 / Phase 3 interventional studying Hepatocellular Carcinoma, sponsored by Shandong New Time Pharmaceutical Co., LTD. 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

There are two studies included in this protocol. One is an open-label Phase Ⅱ study . The other is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, phase III study .

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Hepatocellular Carcinoma 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.

A target enrollment of 576 participants makes this a sizable late-stage trial. Studies in this range typically have enough power to detect clinically meaningful differences from a comparator and to characterize less-common side effects.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. Age of 18-75 full years (inclusive), male or female. 2. Subjects are with unresectable advanced HCC by diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) diagnosis, Stage B or C based on Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer \[BCLC\] ,that is not eligible for surgery and/or locoregional therapy or disease progression after surgery and/or locoregional therapy , surgery and/or locoregional therapy must be finished more than 4 weeks before baseline imaging scan . 3. Subjects have not received any systemic therapy for HCC previously (mainly including systemic chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic drugs or other molecular targeted therapy, antibodies/drugs targeting T cell co-regulatory proteins (such as anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1 /PD-L1, anti-OX-40, anti-CD137, anti-TIM-3, anti-LAG-3 antibodies, etc.). 4. Subjects with at least one measurable lesion by RECIST1.1, baseline imaging scan should be performed within 21 days prior to first administration,target lesions located in the field of previous radiotherapy or in the area of local treatment (interventional or ablative) are considered measurable if radiographic progression is confirmed. 5. Child-Pugh score A or B (≤7 ),There was no history of hepatic encephalopathy . 6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0 or 1. 7. Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks. 8. The functions of vital organs meet the following requirements: No blood transfusion, no hematopoietic stimulating factors (including G-CSF, GM-CSF, EPO, TPO, etc.) and human albumin preparation are required within 14 days before the first administration: ...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. Age of 18-75 full years (inclusive), male or female. 2. Subjects are with unresectable advanced HCC by histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis, Stage B or C based on Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer \[BCLC\] ,that is not eligible for surgery and/or locoregional therapy or disease progression after surgery and/or locoregional therapy , surgery and/or locoregional therapy must be finished more than 4 weeks before baseline imaging scan . 3. Subjects have not received any systemic therapy for HCC previously (mainly including systemic chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic drugs or other molecular targeted therapy, antibodies/drugs targeting T cell co-regulatory proteins (such as anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1 /PD-L1, anti-OX-40, anti-CD137, anti-TIM-3, anti-LAG-3 antibodies, etc.). 4. Subjects with at least one measurable lesion by RECIST1.1, baseline imaging scan should be performed within 21 days prior to first administration,target lesions located in the field of previous radiotherapy or in the area of local treatment (interventional or ablative) are considered measurable if radiographic progression is confirmed. 5. Child-Pugh score A or B (≤7 ),There was no history of hepatic encephalopathy . 6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0 or 1. 7. Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks. 8. The functions of vital organs meet the following requirements: No blood transfusion, no hematopoietic stimulating factors (including G-CSF, GM-CSF, EPO, TPO, etc.) and human albumin preparation are required within 14 days before the first administration: Blood test: neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5×109/L, hemoglobin (HGB) ≥90g/L, platelet count (PLT) ≥75×109/L; liver function: Total bilirubin level (TBIL) ≤2×ULN, ALT and AST≤5×ULN; kidney function: serum creatinine (Cr) ≤1.5×ULN or creatinine clearance ≥50mL/min (Cr\>1.5 x ULN); coagulation function: International standardized ratio (INR) ≤1.5×ULN; serum albumin ≥29g/L; urine protein \<2+ (if urine protein ≥2+, 24h urine protein quantification should be performed, 24h urine protein quantification\< 1.0g can be included). 9. Subjects with hepatitis B virus infection,and HBV DNA \<2000 IU/mL during the screening period , willing to receive anti-HBV therapy throughout the study period. 10. Voluntary agreement to provide written informed consent and the willingness and ability to comply with all aspects of the protocol. Exclusion criteria: 1. Fibrolamellar-HCC, sarcomatoid, cholangiocellular carcinoma or mixed cholangiocarcinoma and HCC. 2. History of other malignancy(ies) in the past 5 years, except for locally curable cancers (radical melanoma, basal or squamous cell carcinoma, carcinoma in situ of the bladder or cervix, etc.). 3. Palliative radiotherapy was performed for bone metastases within 2 weeks prior to firstl administration; Received drugs with anti-liver cancer effect (including Traditional Chinese medicine preparations) within 2 weeks before the first administration.Toxicity induced by previous therapy (except alopecia) not recovered to ≤ grade 1 (NCI-CTCAE v5.0). 4. Uncontrolled pericardial effusion, uncontrolled pleural effusion or clinically obvious moderate peritoneal effusion at screening. 5. Serious, uncured wound, active ulcer or untreated bone fracture. 6. History of gastrointestinal hemorrhage within 6 months prior to initial administration or clear tendency of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (including severe esophageal-gastric varices with hemorrhagic risk, locally active peptic ulcer, persistent fecal occult blood (+)). 7. Inability to swallow tablets, malabsorption syndrome or any other condition that affects gastrointestinal absorption. 8. Having ≥ grade 3 (NCI-CTCAE v5.0) gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula at present. 9. According to CT/MRI examination, the main portal vein carcinoma thrombus involved the contralateral portal vein branch or the superior mesenteric vein at the same time;inferior vena cava carcinoma thrombus ; 10. Serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Appears New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade II or above congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident or poorly controlled arrhythmia within 12 months before the first administration (QTc interval ≥480ms, QTc interval calculated by Fridericia formula). LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) \< 50%; uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥150mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥100mmHg) (the average of ≥3 BP readings based on ≥2 measurements); has a hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy. 11. Other obvious hemorrhagic tendency or evidence on important coagulation disorder: clinically significant hemoptysis or tumour hemorrhage of any cause within 4 weeks before first administration; a thrombosis or embolism event occurs within 6 months before first administration (e.g., aortic aneurysm or peripheral artery thrombosis requiring surgical repair; Uncontrolled deep vein thrombosis); use of anticoagulant therapy for therapeutic purposes (except low molecular weight heparin) within 2 weeks before first administration; requires antiplatelet therapy. 12. Medium or major surgery within 4 weeks prior to initial administration, but diagnostic biopsy was not included. 13. Central nervous system metastasis; If suspected, an MRI scan of the brain and/or spinal cord should be performed to rule it out. 14. For those who received live (attenuated) vaccines within 28 days prior to first administration or who planned to receive vaccines during the study period, the seasonal influenza vaccine for injection or COVID-19 vaccine is usually an inactivated virus vaccine and is allowed to be administered during the study period. 15. Presence of immunodeficiency or receiving long-term systemic steroid therapy within 7 days prior to randomization (daily dose \>10mg Prednisone or other equivalent glucocorticoid), or other immunosuppressive therapy. 16. Active autoimmune diseases requiring systemic treatment (i.e., immunomodulatory drug, corticosteroid or immunosuppressant) in the past two years; Except for: alternative therapy (e.g. thyroxine, insulin or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy due to adrenal or pituitary insufficiency); a patient with well-controlled eczema, psoriasis, chronic simple moss or vitiligo with skin manifestations only, meeting the requirements of a rash ≤10% of body surface area and requiring no systemic drug therapy (including but not limited to hormones, immunosuppressants, etc.). 17. History of clear interstitial lung disease or non-infectious pneumonia, unless induced by local radiotherapy. 18. Active tuberculosis or received antituberculosis therapy within 1 year prior to randomization. 19. Any serious acute and chronic infection requiring systemic antibacterial, antifungal or antiviral therapy at screening, not including viral hepatitis. 20. A known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; Treponema pallidum antibody positive; HCV antibody positive and HCV-RNA positive or higher than the upper limit of normal value. 21. Previously receiving solid organ transplantation. 22. Known contraindication or history of hypersensitivity to any investigational drug or any known excipient. 23. Women who are pregnant or lactating, Female subjects at childbearing age or male subjects whose partners are of childbearing potential do not agree with contraception during the study period and for 6 months after the last administration. 24. Other participants who are unsuitable for inclusion as judged by the investigator.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Rulonilimab+Lenvatinib

Rulonilimab, intravenous (i.v.) administration every 3 weeks; Lenvatinib oral administration, once daily

DRUG

Rulonilimab placebo +Lenvatinib

Rulonilimab placebo, intravenous (i.v.) administration every 3 weeks; Lenvatinib oral administration, once daily

Locations (5)

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.

Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
Huizhou Central People's Hospital
Guandong, China
Jinan Central Hospital
Shandong, China
Linyi Cancer Hospital
Shandong, China
Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen Center
Shenzhen, China

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05408221), the sponsor (Shandong New Time Pharmaceutical Co., LTD), 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 NCT05408221 clinical trial studying?

There are two studies included in this protocol. One is an open-label Phase Ⅱ study . The other is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, phase III study . The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT05408221?

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 NCT05408221?

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 NCT05408221. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05408221. 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.