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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 3INTERVENTIONAL

Measuring if Immunotherapy Plus Chemotherapy is Better Than Chemotherapy Alone for Patients With Aggressive Poorly Differentiated Sarcomas

A Randomized Phase III Trial of Doxorubicin + Pembrolizumab Versus Doxorubicin Alone for the Treatment of Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma (DDLPS), Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS) and Related Poorly Differentiated Sarcomas

Measuring if Immunotherapy Plus Chemotherapy is Better Than Chemotherapy Alone for Patients With Aggressive Poorly Differentiated Sarcomas (NCT06422806) is a Phase 3 interventional studying Metastatic Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma and Metastatic Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI). 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

This phase III trial compares the effect of immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy (doxorubicin) to chemotherapy (doxorubicin) alone in treating patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Doxorubicin is in a class of medications called anthracyclines. Doxorubicin damages the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill tumor cells. It also blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that can bind to certain targets in the body, such as molecules that cause the body to make an immune response (antigens). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Adding immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) to the standard chemotherapy (doxorubicin) may help patients with metastatic or unresectable DDLPS, UPS or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma live longer without having disease progression.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 3 trials confirm efficacy and safety in large patient groups (often 300–3,000+) and form the evidence base for an FDA approval submission. For Metastatic Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma, Phase 3 studies typically randomize participants between the investigational treatment and either a placebo or current standard of care. A successful Phase 3 result is the threshold most treatments need to clear before regulatory 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 365 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: - Patient must be \>= 18 years of age - Patient must have a confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma. Because UPS can sometimes exist in a spectrum among related diagnoses, the following additional diagnostic will be allowed, but not limited to: - Pleomorphic sarcoma with inflammation or with limited areas of differentiation - Pleomorphic sarcoma with giant cells - Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (including storiform-pleomorphic and inflammatory subtypes) - Myxofibrosarcoma - Poorly differentiated sarcoma not otherwise specified (NOS) - Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma - Poorly differentiated spindle cell sarcoma NOS Any of these subtypes may have areas of focal myogenic differentiation - Patient must have metastatic or unresectable sarcoma - Patient must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to the potential harm to an unborn fetus and possible risk for adverse events in nursing infants with the treatment regimens being used. All patients of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 14 days prior to randomization to rule out pregnancy. A patient of childbearing potential is defined as anyone, regardless of whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: - Has achieved menarche at some point - Has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or - Has not been naturally postmenopausal (amenorrhea following cancer therapy does not rule out childbearing potential) for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months) ...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: * Patient must be \>= 18 years of age * Patient must have a confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma. Because UPS can sometimes exist in a spectrum among related diagnoses, the following additional diagnostic will be allowed, but not limited to: * Pleomorphic sarcoma with inflammation or with limited areas of differentiation * Pleomorphic sarcoma with giant cells * Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (including storiform-pleomorphic and inflammatory subtypes) * Myxofibrosarcoma * Poorly differentiated sarcoma not otherwise specified (NOS) * Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma * Poorly differentiated spindle cell sarcoma NOS Any of these subtypes may have areas of focal myogenic differentiation * Patient must have metastatic or unresectable sarcoma * Patient must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to the potential harm to an unborn fetus and possible risk for adverse events in nursing infants with the treatment regimens being used. All patients of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 14 days prior to randomization to rule out pregnancy. A patient of childbearing potential is defined as anyone, regardless of whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: * Has achieved menarche at some point * Has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or * Has not been naturally postmenopausal (amenorrhea following cancer therapy does not rule out childbearing potential) for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months) * Patient must not expect to conceive or father children by using an accepted and effective method(s) of contraception or by abstaining from sexual intercourse for the duration of their participation in the study. Contraception measures must continue for 6 months after the last dose of doxorubicin for patients of child bearing potential and for 3 months after the last dose of doxorubicin for male patients with partners of child bearing potential. Males with pregnant partners should use condoms during doxorubicin treatment and for at least 10 days after the last dose of doxorubicin. Contraception measures must also continue for 4 months after the last dose of pembrolizumab for patients of child bearing potential * Patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients with impaired decision-making capacity (IDMC) who have a legally authorized representative (LAR) or caregiver and/or family member available will also be considered eligible * Patient must have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \> 50% by either MUGA scan or echocardiogram obtained within 28 days prior to randomization * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/uL (must be obtained ≤ 7 days prior to protocol randomization) * Platelets ≥ 75,000 cells/uL (must be obtained ≤ 7 days prior to protocol randomization) * Total bilirubin \< 1.2 mg/dL (must be obtained ≤ 7 days prior to protocol randomization) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase \[SGPT\]) ≤ 3.0 × institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (must be obtained ≤ 7 days prior to protocol randomization) * Creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula (must be obtained ≤ 7 days prior to protocol randomization) * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months of randomization are eligible for this trial * For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated * Patients with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load * Patients with treated brain metastases are eligible if follow-up brain imaging after central nervous system (CNS)-directed therapy shows no evidence of progression * Patients with new or progressive brain metastases (active brain metastases) or leptomeningeal disease are eligible if the treating physician determines that immediate CNS specific treatment is not required and is unlikely to be required during the first cycle of therapy * Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial * Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better * Patient must not have a history of or active interstitial lung disease * Patient must have measurable disease. Baseline imaging must include a chest computed tomography (CT). Imaging should be inclusive of all measurable and non-measurable disease and must be obtained within 28 days prior to randomization. Imaging must be available for uploading to Transfer of Images and Data (TRIAD) * NOTE: CT with (w/) contrast preferred, chest CT without contrast is acceptable, CT portion of positron emission tomography (PET) may be acceptable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is acceptable for measuring other sites of disease * Patient must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 * Patient must not have had prior treatment with an anthracycline * Patient must not have a diagnosis of clinically significant immunodeficiency or an autoimmune disorder requiring the patient to use systemic steroid chronically, or systemic steroids within 7 days prior to randomization * Patient must not have a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis) * Patient must not have a known hypersensitivity to doxorubicin or pembrolizumab or any of their excipients * Patients who have received prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy or radiation therapy must have recovered from the prior therapy at the time of randomization * Patient must have recovered adequately from any prior major surgery prior to randomization * Patient must not have had prior pericardial or mediastinal radiation * Patient must not have received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2 or anti-CTLA4 agent * Patient must not have an autoimmune or other disease that requires the use of daily corticosteroids of \> 10 mg of prednisone (or equivalent). Patients who are on an active steroid taper at the time of randomization must finish prior to beginning study treatment. Patients who require inhaled or topical steroids are eligible

Treatments Being Tested

PROCEDURE

Biospecimen Collection

Undergo blood sample collection

PROCEDURE

Diagnostic Imaging Testing

Undergo standard imaging scans

DRUG

Doxorubicin

Given IV

PROCEDURE

Echocardiography Test

Undergo ECHO

PROCEDURE

Multigated Acquisition Scan

Undergo MUGA scan

BIOLOGICAL

Pembrolizumab

Given IV

Locations (20)

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 Hospital in Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Banner University Medical Center - Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, United States
University of Arizona Cancer Center-North Campus
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Kaiser Permanente Dublin
Dublin, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Fremont
Fremont, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Orchard Plaza
Fresno, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Fresno
Fresno, California, United States
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
La Jolla, California, United States
Keck Medicine of USC Koreatown
Los Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles General Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente- Modesto MOB II
Modesto, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Modesto
Modesto, California, United States
USC Norris Oncology/Hematology-Newport Beach
Newport Beach, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Oakland
Oakland, California, United States
Stanford Cancer Institute Palo Alto
Palo Alto, California, United States
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Palo Alto, California, United States
Huntington Memorial Hospital
Pasadena, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Roseville
Roseville, California, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06422806), the sponsor (National Cancer Institute (NCI)), 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 NCT06422806 clinical trial studying?

This phase III trial compares the effect of immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy (doxorubicin) to chemotherapy (doxorubicin) alone in treating patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Doxorubicin is in a class of medications called anthracyclines. Doxorubicin damages the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill tumor cells. It als… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06422806?

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 NCT06422806?

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 NCT06422806. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06422806. 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.