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Spartalizumab

Phase 2

MSI-H Colorectal Cancer | Small molecule | Oncology |Novartis AG|Last Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Target and mechanism

Molecular targetPDCD1
Target classAntagonist
ModalitySmall molecule

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

CONTROLLEDDMCBiomarker
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment184

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Spartalizumab · 6 trials · 37 indications

Phase 2 3Phase 1 2Early Phase 1 1
NCT05201066Roll-over Study for Patients Who Have Completed a Prior Novartis-sponsored Sabatolimab (MBG453) Study and Are Judged by the Investigator to Benefit From Continued Treatment With Sabatolimab.Myelodysplastic Syndromes
ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING33 Analytics
NCT04802876Efficacy of Tislelizumab and Spartalizumab Across Multiple Cancer-types in Patients with PD1-high MRNA Expressing TumorsMSI-H Colorectal Cancer
ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING184 Analytics
NCT02605967Safety and Efficacy Study of PDR001 in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal CarcinomaNasopharyngeal Carcinoma
COMPLETED122 Analytics
PHASE2ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING
Roll-over Study for Patients Who Have Completed a Prior Novartis-sponsored Sabatolimab (MBG453) Study and Are Judged by the Investigator to Benefit From Continued Treatment With Sabatolimab.
Myelodysplastic SyndromesUnlock trial analytics
PHASE2ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING
Efficacy of Tislelizumab and Spartalizumab Across Multiple Cancer-types in Patients with PD1-high MRNA Expressing Tumors
MSI-H Colorectal CancerUnlock trial analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
Safety and Efficacy Study of PDR001 in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal CarcinomaUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Number of participants with Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
5 years

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence (e.g. any unfavorable and unintended sign \[including abnormal laboratory findings\], symptom or disease) in a clinical investigation participant after providing written informed consent for participation in the study. An AE may or may not be temporally or causally associated with the use of a medicinal (investigational) product. An SAE is defined as any adverse event \[appearance of (or worsening of any pre-existing)\] undesirable sign(s), symptom(s), or medical conditions(s) which meets any one of the following criteria: fatal, life-threatening, results in death, is life-threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization or causes prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, may have caused a congenital anomaly/birth defect, requires intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage.

Severity of AEs and SAEs
5 years

Severity of AEs and SAEs will be measured according to the CTCAE v5.0

Overall Response rate (ORR) (Cohort 3)
Until objective tumor response, on average 10 months

Proportion of patients with best overall response of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), as per local investigator´s assessment and according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria.

Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Per RECIST v 1.1 Using Central Assessment - Number of Participants With Progression or Death
From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years

PFS is the time from the date of randomization to the date of event defined as the first documented confirmed progression or death due to any cause. If a patient has not had an event, progression-free survival is censored at the date of last adequate tumor assessment. Tumor response was based on central review of tumor scan and the assessment criteria was Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1). Progressive disease is at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameter of all measured target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum of diameter of all target lesions recorded at or after baseline. Number of participants in each category (progression, death, censored) is reported in this record.

Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Per RECIST v 1.1 Using Central Assessment - Median PFS
From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years

PFS is the time from the date of randomization to the date of event defined as the first documented confirmed progression or death due to any cause. If a patient has not had an event, progression-free survival is censored at the date of last adequate tumor assessment. Tumor response was based on central review of tumor scan and the assessment criteria was Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1). Progressive disease is at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameter of all measured target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum of diameter of all target lesions recorded at or after baseline.

Incidence of Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT)
8 Weeks

A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as (1) an adverse event or abnormal laboratory value (assessed as unrelated to disease, disease progression, inter-current illness, or concomitant medications) that occurred within the first 8 weeks (56 days) of treatment with PDR001 in combination with regorafenib during dose escalation part and (2) met any of the pre-defined criteria.

Phase Ib: Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) During the On-treatment Period
From first dose of study medication up to 30 days after last dose, with a maximum duration of 3.3 years

Number of participants with AEs and SAEs, including changes from baseline in vital signs, electrocardiograms and laboratory results qualifying and reported as AEs. AE grades to characterize the severity of the AEs were based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.03. For CTCAE v4.03, Grade 1 = mild; Grade 2 = moderate; Grade 3 = severe; Grade 4 = life-threatening; Grade 5 = death related to AE. The on-treatment period is defined from the day of first administration of study treatment up to 30 days after the date of its last administration.

Phase Ib: Number of Participants With Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLTs) During the First 2 Cycles of Treatment
42 days

A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) is defined as an adverse event or abnormal laboratory value of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade ≥ 3 assessed as unrelated to disease, disease progression, inter-current illness or concomitant medications that occurs within the first 2 cycles of treatment with capmatinib in combination with spartalizumab during the dose escalation part of the study. Other clinically significant toxicities may be considered to be DLTs, even if not CTCAE grade 3 or higher. The duration of one treatment cycle is 21 days.

Phase Ib: Number of Participants With Dose Reductions and Dose Interruptions of Capmatinib and Spartalizumab
From first dose of study medication up to last dose, with a maximum duration of 3.2 years

Number of participants with at least one dose reduction of capmatinib and spartalizumab and number of participants with at least one dose interruption of capmatinib and spartalizumab. No dose modifications (i.e. dose reduction) were allowed for spartalizumab.

Phase Ib: Dose Intensity of Capmatinib
From first dose of study medication up to last dose, with a maximum duration of 3.2 years

Dose intensity of capmatinib was calculated as actual cumulative dose in milligrams divided by duration of exposure in days.

Phase Ib: Dose Intensity of Spartalizumab
From first dose of study medication up to last dose, with a maximum duration of 3.2 years

Dose intensity of spartalizumab was calculated as actual cumulative dose in milligrams divided by duration of exposure in weeks and then multiplied by 3 weeks (3W).

Phase II: Overall Response Rate (ORR) Per RECIST v1.1
From start of treatment until end of treatment, assessed up to 2.2 years

Tumor response was based on local investigator assessment as per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1. ORR per RECIST v1.1 is defined as the percentage of participants with a best overall response of Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR). For RECIST v1.1, CR=Disappearance of all non-nodal target lesions. In addition, any pathological lymph nodes assigned as target lesions must have a reduction in short axis to \< 10 mm; PR= At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameter of all target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum of diameters.

Percentage of subjects who proceed to radical nephrectomy
6 Weeks

Feasibility of spartalizumab and canakinumab will be met if \> 85% of patients proceed to radical nephrectomy (12 of 14).

Secondary Endpoints

Duration of exposure to sabatolimab
5 years
Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR) in patients with high mRNA PD1 expressing tumors (Cohort 3)
Until objective tumor response, on average 10 months
Progression free survival (PFS) in patients with high mRNA PD1 expressing tumors (Cohort 3)
From date of allocation to disease progression or death from any cause,whichever came first, assessed up to approximately 36 months
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationNON_RANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelSINGLE_GROUP
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
sabatolimab + azacitidineEXPERIMENTALPatients will take sabatolimab 800 mg i.v and azacitidine 75 mg/m2/d d1-7 s.c. or i.v./q4w or sabatolimab 400 mg i.v/q2w and azacitidine 75 mg/m2/d d1-7 s.c. or i.v./q4w.
sabatolimab + decitabineEXPERIMENTALPatients will take Sabatolimab 400 mg i.v/q2w and decitabine 20 mg/m2/d d1-5 i.v.
sabatolimab + venetoclax + azacitidineEXPERIMENTALPatients will take sabatolimab 200 mg i.v./q2w and venetoclax 400 mg p.o. d1-14/q4wk and azacitidine 75 mg/m2/d d1-7/q4w.
sabatolimab + spartalizumab + decitabineEXPERIMENTALPatients will take sabatolimab 400 mg i.v./q2w and decitabine 20 mg/m2/d d1-5 i.v. and spartalizumab 100 mg i.v/q2w.
sabatolimab + HMAEXPERIMENTALPatients will take sabatolimab 800 mg and azacitidine 75 mg/m2/d d1-7 or decitabine 20 mg/m2/d d1-5/ all q4w HMA means hypomethylating agents. Hypomethylating agents are azacitidine and decitabine.
sabatolimabEXPERIMENTALPatients will take sabatolimab 800 mg i.v q4w.
Spartalizumab (PDR001) (Cohort-1 PD1-high)EXPERIMENTAL400mg/intravenous every 28 days
Spartalizumab (PDR001) (Cohort-2 PD1-low)EXPERIMENTAL400mg/intravenous every 28 days
Tislelizumab (Cohort-3 PD1-high)EXPERIMENTAL300mg/intravenous every 28 days
Spartalizumab 400 mg Q4WEXPERIMENTALanti-PD1 humanized monoclonal antibody. Participants treated with spartalizumab who remained on spartalizumab
ChemotherapyACTIVE_COMPARATORcommonly used chemotherapy as per investigator's choice
spartalizumab (PDR001) + regorafenibEXPERIMENTALSubjects with metastatic MSS CRC received a combination of spartalizumab and regorafenib.
Phase Ib: Capmatinib 200 mg BID + Spartalizumab 300 mg Q3WEXPERIMENTALCapmatinib 200 mg administered orally on a continuous twice daily (BID) dosing schedule in combination with spartalizumab 300 mg administered intravenously once every 3 weeks (Q3W) in Phase Ib
Phase Ib: Capmatinib 300 mg BID + Spartalizumab 300 mg Q3WEXPERIMENTALCapmatinib 300 mg administered orally on a continuous twice daily (BID) dosing schedule in combination with spartalizumab 300 mg administered intravenously once every 3 weeks (Q3W) in Phase Ib
Phase Ib: Capmatinib 400 mg BID + Spartalizumab 300 mg Q3WEXPERIMENTALCapmatinib 400 mg administered orally on a continuous twice daily (BID) dosing schedule in combination with spartalizumab 300 mg administered intravenously once every 3 weeks (Q3W) in Phase Ib
Phase II: Capmatinib 400 mg BID + Spartalizumab 300 mg Q3WEXPERIMENTALCapmatinib 400 mg administered orally on a continuous twice daily (BID) dosing schedule in combination with spartalizumab 300 mg administered intravenously once every 3 weeks (Q3W) in Phase II
Phase II: Spartalizumab 300 mg Q3WEXPERIMENTALSpartalizumab 300 mg administered intravenously once every 3 weeks (Q3W) in Phase II
Spartalizumab and CanakinumabEXPERIMENTALSubjects with renal cell carcinoma will receive study treatment Q4 weeks x 2 doses prior to radical nephrectomy.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
decitabineDRUGSolution for intravenous infusion
spartalizumabDRUGSolution for intravenous infusion
sabatolimabDRUGSolution for intravenous infusion
azacitidineDRUGSolution for subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion
venetoclaxDRUGTablet for oral administration
INQOVI (oral decitabine)DRUGTablet for oral administration. HMA = azactidine or decitabine INQOVI = decitabine (oral)
TislelizumabDRUGTislelizumab 300mg will be given intravenously every 28 days
Investigator choice of chemotherapyDRUGCommonly used chemotherapy as per investigator's choice. The dose and route of administration was the one described in each drug's label.
spartalizumab (PDR001)DRUG100 mg lyophilisate in vial received 400 mg every 4 weeks
regorafenibDRUG120 mg once daily first 21 days of each 28-day cycle (=4 weeks)
CapmatinibDRUGCapmatinib administered orally as a tablet on a continuous twice daily (BID) dosing schedule
CanakinumabDRUGCanakinumab 300 mg IV Q4 weeks x 2 doses prior to radical nephrectomy Infusion
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range12 Years to 99 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites24

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participant is currently enrolled in a Novartis-sponsored study with sabatolimab, is being treated with sabatolimab, and has fulfilled all requirements in the parent study. 2. Participant is currently benefiting from the treatment with sabatolimab as determined by guidelines ...

Countries:United StatesAustraliaBrazilCanadaChinaCzechiaFranceGermanyGreeceItalyJapanMalaysiaSpainSwitzerlandTurkey (Türkiye)Hong KongSingaporeTaiwanThailandIsraelNetherlandsSouth Korea
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Competitive Landscape -Colorectal Cancer 258 trials (matched to "MSI-H Colorectal Cancer")

Recent Changes (Last 90 Days)

LOWJul 24, 2026NCT05201066startDate: changed
LOWJul 24, 2026NCT05201066startDate: changed

Frequently asked questions about Spartalizumab

What is Spartalizumab used for?

Spartalizumab is an investigational oncology therapy being studied across multiple cancer types, including MSI-H colorectal cancer, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes. It is currently in clinical development and has not been approved by the FDA.

What does Spartalizumab target?

Spartalizumab is a monoclonal antibody, indicated by its -mab suffix. It is being investigated for its activity against tumors that express PD1-high mRNA, as seen in a Phase 2 trial across multiple cancer types. The drug is designed to interact with the PD-1 pathway in oncology.

Who makes Spartalizumab?

Spartalizumab is developed by Novartis AG, a global pharmaceutical company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker NVS. Novartis is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the drug's safety and efficacy in various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

What phase is Spartalizumab in?

Spartalizumab is in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials. It is an investigational drug, meaning it has not received FDA approval and is still undergoing clinical development to assess its safety and effectiveness in treating various cancers.

What clinical trials is Spartalizumab in?

Spartalizumab has been studied in several clinical trials, including NCT02605967 for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, NCT04028245 for localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and NCT04802876 for PD1-high mRNA expressing tumors across multiple cancer types. These trials are completed or active.

Is Spartalizumab the same as PDR001?

Spartalizumab is also known as PDR001. In clinical trial NCT02605967, the drug is referred to as PDR001, confirming that both names refer to the same investigational monoclonal antibody being developed by Novartis for cancer treatment.