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 2INTERVENTIONAL

A Randomized Trial of Maintenance Systemic Therapy After Radiation for Oligometastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (ASTROs)

A Randomized Trial of Maintenance Systemic Therapy After Radiation for Oligometastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (ASTROs) (NCT06004336) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Oligometastatic 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

To learn if adding 1 year of therapy with pembrolizumab can help to continue to control RCC after radiation therapy.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Oligometastatic Renal Cell 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.

Target enrollment of 144 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Oligometastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 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: In order to be eligible for trial participation, patients must have: 1. The participant provides written willing to sign a consent form for the trial. 2. Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of RCC with a clear cell component. 3. Be willing and able to undergo biopsy of a lesion planned for definitive RT. If a lesion amenable to SBRT was biopsied prior to enrollment, this material can be used in lieu of a planned biopsy if the tissue is available for review at MD Anderson. 1. Patients may be allowed on this trial without a biopsy if they are deemed medically unfit for biopsy or if the biopsy poses undue risk in the opinion of the treating physician(s). 4. Be ≥18 years of age on the day of signing willing to sign a consent form. 5. You should be able to carry out daily activities with 0 level of ability (ECOG 0)-1. NOTE: If subject is unable to walk due to paralysis, but is mobile in a wheelchair, subject is ambulatory for the purpose of assessing their performance status. 1. Have measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1. Lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been demonstrated in such lesions. 2. Oligometastatic RCC patients (≤5 metastatic lesions at the time of study entry). Per the discretion of the treating clinicians, we will not count lung lesions \<1 cm short axis and LNs \<1.5 cm short axis as these lesions are often equivocal. 1. CNS disease will be allowed and the number of CNS lesions counted towards the number of metastatic lesions for the purposes of study entry. 3. Demonstrate your organs (liver, kidneys, etc.) are working well enough based on blood tests as defined in the table below, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days prior to enrollment. 4. At least one site, which in the opinion of the treating radiation oncologist, is treatable with definitive RT and can be biopsied. ...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: In order to be eligible for trial participation, patients must have: 1. The participant provides written informed consent for the trial. 2. Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of RCC with a clear cell component. 3. Be willing and able to undergo biopsy of a lesion planned for definitive RT. If a lesion amenable to SBRT was biopsied prior to enrollment, this material can be used in lieu of a planned biopsy if the tissue is available for review at MD Anderson. 1. Patients may be allowed on this trial without a biopsy if they are deemed medically unfit for biopsy or if the biopsy poses undue risk in the opinion of the treating physician(s). 4. Be ≥18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent. 5. ECOG performance status 0-1. NOTE: If subject is unable to walk due to paralysis, but is mobile in a wheelchair, subject is ambulatory for the purpose of assessing their performance status. 1. Have measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1. Lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been demonstrated in such lesions. 2. Oligometastatic RCC patients (≤5 metastatic lesions at the time of study entry). Per the discretion of the treating clinicians, we will not count lung lesions \<1 cm short axis and LNs \<1.5 cm short axis as these lesions are often equivocal. 1. CNS disease will be allowed and the number of CNS lesions counted towards the number of metastatic lesions for the purposes of study entry. 3. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in the table below, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days prior to enrollment. 4. At least one site, which in the opinion of the treating radiation oncologist, is treatable with definitive RT and can be biopsied. 5. Criteria for known Hepatitis B and C positive subjects. Hepatitis B and C screening tests are not required unless: •Known history of HBV or HCV infection * As mandated by local health authority 6. Hepatitis B positive subjects • Participants who are HBsAg positive are eligible if they have received HBV antiviral therapy for at least 4 weeks and have undetectable HBV viral load prior to randomization. • Participants should remain on anti-viral therapy throughout study intervention and follow local guidelines for HBV anti-viral therapy post completion of study intervention. 7. Participants with history of HCV infection are eligible if HCV viral load is undetectable at screening. • Participants must have completed curative anti-viral therapy at least 4 weeks prior to randomization. Table Adequate Organ Function Laboratory Values System Laboratory Value --Hematological --Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500/µL --Platelets ≥100 000/µL --Hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dL or ≥5.6 mmol/La --Renal --Creatinine OR Measured or calculatedb creatinine clearance (GFR can also be used in place of creatinine or CrCl) ≤1.5 × ULN OR ≥30 mL/min for participant with creatinine levels \>1.5 × institutional ULN Hepatic --Total bilirubin ≤1.5 ×ULN OR direct bilirubin ≤ULN for participants with total bilirubin levels \>1.5 × ULN --AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤2.5 × ULN (≤5 × ULN for participants with liver metastases) --Coagulation International normalized ratio (INR) OR prothrombin time (PT) --Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≤1.5 × ULN unless participant is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or aPTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants --ALT (SGPT)=alanine aminotransferase (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase); \-- AST (SGOT)=aspartate aminotransferase (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase); ----GFR=glomerular filtration rate; ULN=upper limit of normal. a Criteria must be met without erythropoietin dependency and without packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion within last 2 weeks. b Creatinine clearance (CrCl) should be calculated per institutional standard. Note: This table includes eligibility-defining laboratory value requirements for treatment; laboratory value requirements should be adapted according to local regulations and guidelines for the administration of specific chemotherapies. Exclusion Criteria: The patient must be excluded from participating in the trial based on the following conditions: 1\. The patient must have received their last dose of systemic therapy ≥24 weeks prior to initiation of their first dose of RT if this therapy included immunotherapy (e.g. pembrolizumab, nivolumab, ipilimumab, etc.) or ≥4 weeks prior to initiation of the first dose of radiation if this systemic therapy did not include immunotherapy. 2\. Immunocompromising conditions, as follows: * Known acute or chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection * History of primary immunodeficiency * History of allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant * Current or prior use of immunosuppressive medication within 7 days before the first dose of study treatment, except for topical, ocular, intranasal, and inhaled corticosteroids, or systemic corticosteroids at an equivalent dose ≤10 mg of prednisone daily. 3\. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial as determined by the treating physician and/or member of the study team. 4\. Patients with a prior history of grade 3 or worse immune-related adverse events attributed to checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4), except endocrine adverse events with appropriate hormone replacement. 5\. Has received a live vaccine or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study intervention. Administration of killed vaccines is allowed. 6\. Per the opinion of the treating physician of study team has cognitive impairments such that appropriate informed consent cannot be obtained or that he/she cannot participate in required study activities. 1. Diffuse metastatic processes including leptomeningeal disease, diffuse bone marrow involvement, and peritoneal carcinomatous, which by the discretion of the treating physician cannot be treated definitively. 2. Is pregnant, breast feeding, or expecting to conceive within the projected duration of the trial at the screening visit and at least one of the following conditions apply. * Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) as defined in Appendix OR * A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance in Appendix during the treatment period and for at least 120 days (corresponding to time needed to eliminate any study treatment(s) (pembrolizumab and/or any active comparator/combination) plus 30 days (a menstruation cycle) after the last dose of study treatment. 3\. A WOCBP who has a positive urine pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to enrollment. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Pembrolizumab

Given by vein (IV)

RADIATION

Radiation therapy

Given by vein (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 (NCT06004336), 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 NCT06004336 clinical trial studying?

To learn if adding 1 year of therapy with pembrolizumab can help to continue to control RCC after radiation therapy. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06004336?

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 NCT06004336?

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 NCT06004336. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06004336. 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.