Search active and recently completed mesothelioma clinical trials sourced from
ClinicalTrials.gov.
Filter by mesothelioma type, treatment category, phase, and enrollment status.
Free to use — no account or sign-up required.
Recruiting trials includedVerified NCT IDs30 trials in databaseUpdated March 29, 2026
Filter trials
30 of 30 trials
Phase 3Completed — FDA ApprovedPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT02899299
Nivolumab + Ipilimumab vs. Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (CheckMate 743)
Phase 3 trial comparing nivolumab plus ipilimumab immunotherapy combination against standard pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. Results showed significant overall survival improvement, especially in non-epithelioid subtypes. Based on this trial, the combination received FDA approval in October 2020 as the first first-line therapy advance in mesothelioma in over 15 years.
Sponsor: Bristol-Myers Squibb
Sites: Multiple US Sites, International Sites
Phase 3Completed — FDA ApprovedPleuralChemotherapy
NCT00770120
Pemetrexed + Cisplatin as First-Line Treatment for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (EMPHACIS)
Pivotal Phase 3 trial establishing pemetrexed plus cisplatin as the standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Led to FDA approval of pemetrexed (Alimta) for mesothelioma in 2004. This combination remains a backbone of treatment protocols over two decades later.
Sponsor: Eli Lilly
Sites: Multiple US Sites, International Sites
Phase 2CompletedPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT01953913
Nivolumab vs. Nivolumab + Ipilimumab in Previously Treated Mesothelioma (MAPS-2)
French multicenter Phase 2 trial evaluating single-agent nivolumab versus nivolumab combined with ipilimumab in patients with previously treated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Disease control rates of 44% and 50% respectively, establishing proof of concept for checkpoint inhibitor activity in mesothelioma.
Sponsor: UNICANCER
Sites: France (Multiple Sites)
Phase 3CompletedPleuralChemotherapy
NCT00075764
Bevacizumab + Pemetrexed + Cisplatin for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MAPS)
Randomized Phase 3 trial showing that adding bevacizumab (Avastin) to pemetrexed plus cisplatin improved overall survival by 2.7 months compared to chemotherapy alone. While not FDA-approved specifically for mesothelioma, this combination is widely used off-label in eligible patients and is listed in NCCN guidelines.
Sponsor: Institut National du Cancer (France)
Sites: France (Multiple Sites)
Phase 3RecruitingPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT05195229
Pembrolizumab + Pemetrexed + Platinum Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (DREAM3R)
International Phase 3 randomized trial comparing pembrolizumab (Keytruda) added to pemetrexed/platinum chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment. Testing whether adding a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor to standard chemotherapy can improve outcomes. Actively enrolling at major mesothelioma centers worldwide.
Sponsor: Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group
Sites: Multiple US Sites, Australia, UK, Canada, International
Phase 2RecruitingPleuralChemotherapy
NCT04789720
Lurbinectedin for Relapsed Malignant Mesothelioma
Phase 2 study evaluating lurbinectedin, a marine-derived compound that inhibits oncogenic transcription factors, in patients with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma who have progressed after prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Lurbinectedin has shown activity in other thoracic malignancies and is being studied as a second-line mesothelioma option.
Sponsor: PharmaMar
Sites: Multiple US Sites, Spain, International
Phase 1RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT04827680
MSLN-Targeted CAR-T Cell Therapy (CART-MSLN) for Malignant Mesothelioma
First-in-human Phase 1 trial of mesothelin-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy delivered intrapleurally for malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelin is overexpressed on mesothelioma cells, making it an ideal target for adoptive cell therapy. Early results have shown promising tumor regression in some patients.
Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Sites: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York, NY
Phase 2RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT03945357
Talazoparib (PARP Inhibitor) + Temozolomide for Malignant Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial evaluating the combination of the PARP inhibitor talazoparib with temozolomide chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory malignant mesothelioma. Targets DNA repair deficiencies present in a subset of mesotheliomas, particularly those with BAP1 mutations.
Sponsor: University of Chicago
Sites: University of Chicago — Chicago, IL, NCI Cancer Center Network
Phase 2RecruitingPeritonealImmunotherapy
NCT04830449
Pembrolizumab for Peritoneal Mesothelioma After HIPEC
Phase 2 trial studying pembrolizumab maintenance therapy in patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma who have undergone cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Assesses whether immunotherapy after standard surgical treatment can prevent or delay recurrence.
Sponsor: Washington Cancer Institute
Sites: MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Washington, DC
Randomized Phase 2/3 trial adding Tumor Treating Fields (NovoTTF-100L device worn on the chest) to first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab immunotherapy. TTFields deliver alternating electric fields that disrupt cancer cell division. An earlier trial showed TTFields added to chemotherapy improved overall survival in mesothelioma.
Sponsor: Novocure
Sites: Multiple US Sites, International Sites
Phase 2RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT04789343
Denosumab for Sarcomatoid and Biphasic Pleural Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial of denosumab, a RANK ligand inhibitor approved for giant cell tumor of bone, in sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma subtypes — which respond poorly to standard chemotherapy and have RANK ligand expression. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma carries the worst prognosis and has very few effective treatment options.
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Sites: NCI — Bethesda, MD, NCI Cancer Treatment Centers
ObservationalRecruitingPeritonealSurgery
NCT04177953
Cytoreductive Surgery + HIPEC for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma — Multicenter Registry
Prospective registry study collecting outcomes data from patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma at specialized centers. Generates real-world evidence on surgical outcomes and helps identify optimal patient selection criteria.
Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Sites: Multiple US Peritoneal Surface Oncology Centers
Phase 1/2RecruitingPleuralRadiation
NCT04840082
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Pleural Mesothelioma
Phase 1/2 trial evaluating stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for malignant pleural mesothelioma, either as an upfront treatment or to address progressive disease. Mesothelioma has historically been difficult to irradiate due to the conforming geometry of the pleura; newer radiotherapy techniques allow more precise targeting.
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Sites: University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, PA
Phase 2CompletedPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT03063047
Anetumab Ravtansine (Anti-Mesothelin ADC) for Pleural Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial of anetumab ravtansine, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting mesothelin that delivers cytotoxic payload directly to mesothelioma cells. Tests this targeted approach in patients with mesothelin-positive pleural mesothelioma who received prior pemetrexed-based chemotherapy.
Sponsor: Bayer
Sites: Multiple US Sites, International Sites
Phase 2CompletedPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT02991625
CRS-207 Mesothelin-Targeting Immunotherapy for Malignant Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial of CRS-207, a live-attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vector engineered to express mesothelin, designed to stimulate a T-cell immune response against mesothelioma. Evaluated as second-line treatment in patients with previously treated pleural mesothelioma.
Sponsor: Aduro Biotech
Sites: Multiple US Sites
Phase 2CompletedPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT02628535
Ipilimumab + Nivolumab for Mesothelioma (IND.227 / INITIATE)
Canadian-led Phase 2 trial evaluating the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab as second-line therapy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who had progressed after first-line pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. Contributed important evidence supporting dual checkpoint blockade as a viable salvage option.
Phase 2 trial of Tumor Treating Fields (NovoTTF-100L) added to standard first-line chemotherapy (pemetrexed + platinum) in unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Results showed median overall survival of 18.2 months — substantially higher than historical chemotherapy controls — leading to FDA Breakthrough Device designation.
Sponsor: Novocure
Sites: Multiple US Sites, International Sites
Phase 2RecruitingPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT04745832
Ramucirumab + Pembrolizumab for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial combining ramucirumab (anti-VEGFR2 antibody) with pembrolizumab PD-1 checkpoint inhibition in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma in second or later line. Rationale: anti-angiogenic agents may enhance T-cell infiltration, potentially synergizing with checkpoint inhibitors.
Sponsor: Eli Lilly
Sites: Multiple US Sites
Phase 2RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT04948697
BAP1-Targeted Therapy: EZH2 Inhibitor (Tazemetostat) for BAP1-Mutated Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial of tazemetostat, an EZH2 histone methyltransferase inhibitor, in patients with BAP1-mutated pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. BAP1 loss is common in mesothelioma and creates a synthetic lethal dependency on EZH2, providing a genotype-directed treatment strategy for this molecularly defined subgroup.
Sponsor: Epizyme Inc. / Ipsen
Sites: Multiple US NCI-Designated Cancer Centers
Phase 2RecruitingPleuralSurgery
NCT03560882
Heated Intrapleural Chemotherapy (HITHOC) + Surgery for Pleural Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial evaluating pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery followed by heated intrapleural chemotherapy (HITHOC) with cisplatin and doxorubicin, analogous to HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma but delivered to the pleural space. Aims to improve local disease control after surgical resection.
Sponsor: Thomas Jefferson University
Sites: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital — Philadelphia, PA
Phase 1/2RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT04988607
Adagrasib (KRAS G12C Inhibitor) in Solid Tumors Including Mesothelioma (KRYSTAL-1)
Basket trial including a mesothelioma cohort evaluating adagrasib in KRAS G12C-mutated solid tumors. While KRAS mutations are less common in mesothelioma than in lung cancer, molecular profiling increasingly identifies actionable mutations and this trial offers access to a targeted agent for genotype-selected mesothelioma patients.
Sponsor: Mirati Therapeutics
Sites: Multiple US Cancer Centers
Phase 2RecruitingPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT05228028
Domvanalimab (Anti-TIGIT) + Zimberelimab (Anti-PD-1) for Malignant Mesothelioma
Phase 2 trial combining domvanalimab (anti-TIGIT checkpoint antibody) with zimberelimab (anti-PD-1) in patients with relapsed mesothelioma. TIGIT is an emerging immune checkpoint and its blockade may restore T-cell activity in patients whose tumors no longer respond to PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy.
Sponsor: Arcus Biosciences
Sites: Multiple US Sites
Phase 3RecruitingPeritonealSurgery
NCT04387708
Cytoreductive Surgery + HIPEC vs. Systemic Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma (MESODERM)
Randomized Phase 3 trial comparing the gold-standard surgical approach — cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) — against systemic pemetrexed plus platinum chemotherapy as initial treatment for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Generates the highest level of evidence for the surgical approach.
Sponsor: French National Cancer Institute
Sites: France (Multiple Sites), International Sites
Phase 1/2RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT03399552
Intrapleural Gene Therapy with Modified Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-tk) for Mesothelioma
Phase 1/2 trial of intrapleural delivery of a modified herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (AdV.tk) followed by valacyclovir, which selectively kills HSV-tk-transduced mesothelioma cells. This approach also stimulates an immune response against the tumor, combining gene therapy with immunostimulation.
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Sites: University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, PA
Phase 2CompletedPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT03048474
Pembrolizumab for Previously Treated Malignant Mesothelioma (KEYNOTE-158)
Phase 2 multi-cohort trial including a mesothelioma cohort evaluating pembrolizumab in patients with previously treated solid tumors including malignant pleural mesothelioma. Response rate of approximately 12% in mesothelioma, with durable responses in a subset of patients, established pembrolizumab as a viable salvage option.
Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme
Sites: Multiple US Sites, International Sites
Phase 1RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT04929210
Anti-Mesothelin CAR-T Cells + Pembrolizumab for Pleural Mesothelioma (MESO-001)
Phase 1 dose-escalation trial combining intrapleural infusion of mesothelin-targeted CAR-T cells with systemic pembrolizumab checkpoint inhibition for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Investigates whether pembrolizumab can prevent exhaustion of the adoptively transferred CAR-T cells, potentially amplifying and sustaining the anti-tumor immune response.
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Sites: University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, PA
Phase 2CompletedPleuralImmunotherapy
NCT03644680
Durvalumab + Tremelimumab + Platinum/Pemetrexed Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma (PrE0505)
Single-arm Phase 2 trial adding dual checkpoint blockade (durvalumab anti-PD-L1 + tremelimumab anti-CTLA-4) to standard pemetrexed/platinum chemotherapy in untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Median OS of 20.4 months was among the highest reported in a first-line mesothelioma trial at the time of publication.
Phase 2 exploratory trial evaluating the addition of nivolumab plus ipilimumab to standard chemotherapy in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Assesses whether a triplet approach of immunotherapy plus chemotherapy can further improve upon the dual checkpoint inhibition approved by the FDA for this indication.
Sponsor: Bristol-Myers Squibb
Sites: Multiple US Sites, International Sites
Phase 1/2RecruitingPleuralTargeted Therapy
NCT04857398
Decitabine + Tetrahydrouridine (THU) Epigenetic Therapy for Malignant Mesothelioma
Phase 1/2 trial of oral decitabine combined with tetrahydrouridine (to extend decitabine's half-life) as an epigenetic therapy targeting DNA methylation in malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma frequently shows epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes, making demethylating agents a scientifically rational approach.
Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sites: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center — Cleveland, OH
Phase 3CompletedPleuralChemotherapy
NCT04790786
Vinorelbine + Active Symptom Control vs. Active Symptom Control Alone for Mesothelioma (SYSTEMS-2)
UK randomized Phase 3 trial assessing whether single-agent vinorelbine chemotherapy improves overall survival and quality of life compared to best supportive care alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who have received prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Addresses a major unmet need for effective second-line options.
Have Questions About Your Treatment Options or Legal Rights?
The mesothelioma attorneys at Danziger & De Llano, LLP work closely with
oncologists and patient advocates to help you understand every option — including
whether a clinical trial or trust fund claim is right for your situation.
All consultations are free and confidential.
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new treatments, combinations, or approaches in human volunteers under strict medical supervision. For mesothelioma, trials may study new drugs, immunotherapies, surgical techniques, or devices. Each trial has specific eligibility criteria — called inclusion and exclusion criteria — that define who can participate based on factors like mesothelioma type (pleural vs. peritoneal), disease stage, prior treatments, age, and overall health. The best way to determine your eligibility is to speak with your oncologist or contact the trial's coordinating center directly. Your oncologist can also search ClinicalTrials.gov and request pre-screening on your behalf.
Clinical trials are conducted under rigorous safety protocols approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the FDA. All trials undergo ongoing safety monitoring; if unexpected harms emerge, the trial can be paused or stopped. Phase 1 trials focus primarily on safety and dosing, while Phase 2 and 3 trials build on that foundation. Participants always receive standard-of-care treatment as a baseline — no one is given a placebo when an effective standard treatment exists. That said, experimental treatments carry unknown risks by definition, and potential participants should discuss the specific risks and benefits with their care team before enrolling.
The experimental treatment itself — the study drug, device, or procedure being tested — is typically provided free of charge by the trial sponsor. In many cases, other trial-related costs such as lab tests and imaging required by the protocol are also covered. However, routine care costs, travel, lodging, and time off work may not be covered and can be a financial burden, particularly for trials at distant academic medical centers. Federal law requires most insurance plans to cover routine care costs associated with participating in an approved clinical trial. Many trial sites also have social workers or patient navigators who can help identify financial assistance programs.
Start by discussing with your oncologist whether a clinical trial is appropriate for your situation and stage of treatment. Your oncologist may know of relevant trials at your institution or can refer you to a mesothelioma specialist at a major cancer center. ClinicalTrials.gov lists every federally registered trial in the US — you can search by condition ("mesothelioma"), status ("recruiting"), and location. Mesothelioma-specific organizations such as the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) and major NCI-Designated Cancer Centers with dedicated mesothelioma programs (e.g., Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, Penn Medicine) also maintain trial matching services. An experienced mesothelioma attorney may also be able to connect you with patient advocates who navigate clinical trial access.
