New Combination Therapy Trials Begin for Solid Tumors
Patients with solid tumors are being enrolled in new drug-chemotherapy combination trials as part of ongoing research.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Cancer
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Crescent Biopharma has expanded its ASCEND clinical trial to include cohorts testing its drug CR-001 in combination with standard chemotherapy for solid tumors. More than 125 patients have already been dosed in the ongoing study across the United States, Europe, and South Korea.
Why it matters
Expanding these trials aims to determine if adding new antibody-drug conjugates to existing chemotherapy regimens can better treat various solid tumor types. This transition to combination therapy represents a key step in evaluating whether these treatments can improve patient outcomes in later trial phases.
The ongoing Phase 1/2 ASCEND trial has enrolled over 125 patients across international sites to assess safety and dosing. While early dose escalation is complete, efficacy results remain preliminary, with initial data from the trial expected in early 2027.
The players
Crescent Biopharma
A developer of antibody-drug conjugates focused on new oncology treatments.
Kelun-Biotech
A biopharmaceutical company partnering on combination trials for cancer therapies.
The details
The ASCEND trial investigates CR-001, an antibody-drug conjugate designed to deliver potent therapeutic agents directly to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. The study is now moving into expansion cohorts that combine this drug with standard chemotherapy regimens to observe how the two approaches interact within the body. Researchers are collaborating with Kelun-Biotech to explore these combination treatments in hopes of achieving better tumor control than monotherapy alone.
Timeline
Q1 2027: Expected initial monotherapy data from the ASCEND trial.
Mid-2027: Expected initial data from chemotherapy combination cohorts.
Second half 2027: Expected initial data for CR-002.
Early 2028: Planned initiation of the first Phase 3 studies for CR-001.
Health Landscape
The ASCEND trial continues the industry-wide shift toward testing antibody-drug conjugates in combination with traditional chemotherapy to combat refractory solid tumors. This research reflects a broader trend of repurposing existing systemic treatments by pairing them with targeted delivery agents.
These clinical trial developments are currently limited to research settings and are not available for routine clinical care. Patients interested in how these therapies might relate to specific tumor types should discuss ongoing research and potential trial eligibility with their oncologist.
The takeaway
Combination therapies remain a major area of investigation for improving treatment response in patients with solid tumors. When considering clinical trials, always consult your physician to determine if an emerging study aligns with your specific diagnosis and medical history.
Further reading
For more on the current state of oncology research, visit Cancer.
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