Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01658878

An Immuno-therapy Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness, Safety and Tolerability of Nivolumab or Nivolumab in Combination With Other Agents in Patients With Advanced Liver Cancer

The first part of the study is the Dose Escalation Phase designed to establish the safety of nivolumab at different dose levels for each of the three cohorts (uninfected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subjects, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected HCC subjects, and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected subjects).

The second part of the study is the Expansion Phase designed to generate additional clinical data at specified doses for each of the 3 cohorts. A third cohort has been added in this study to compare the efficacy of nivolumab and sorafenib in the treatment of Advanced HCC. A fourth cohort will generate data on the safety and efficacy of the combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab in the treatment of Advanced HCC. In the fifth cohort, additional clinical data will be generated for Child-Pugh B subjects. A Cabozantinib Combination Cohort has been added to evaluate the safety and tolerability of nivolumab in combination with cabozantinib and nivolumab with ipilimumab in combination with cabozantinib.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1 / Phase 2

Primary location

Local Institution - 0065, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Loading trial locations.

About this study

Study Classification: Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

For more information regarding BMS clinical trial participation, please visit www.BMSStudyConnect.com

Inclusion criteria

  • Subjects of 18 years or older (men and women) with histologically confirmed advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, not eligible for surgical and/or locoregional therapies; or progressive disease after surgical and /or locoregional therapies
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0 to 1
  • Dose Escalation Phase: Child-Pugh score of 7 points or less. Cohort 5: Child-Pugh Class B (B7-B8). For all other cohorts Child-Pugh score of 6 points or less

Exclusion criteria

  • History of autoimmune disease
  • Any prior or current clinically significant ascites
  • Any history of hepatic encephalopathy

Treatment and study plan

Nivolumab

Biological

Other names: BMS-936558

Sorafenib

Drug

Ipilimumab

Drug

Cabozantinib

Drug

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)

    Time frame: From first dose of study medication through 100 days following last dose of study treatment (Assessed approximately 04 months up to a max of approximately 106 months)

    An Adverse Event (AE) is defined as any new untoward medical occurrence or worsening of a preexisting medical condition in a clinical investigation participant administered study treatment and that does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (such as an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment.

  2. Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

    Time frame: From first dose of study medication through 100 days following last dose of study treatment (Assessed approximately 04 months up to a max of approximately 106 months)

    Serious Adverse Event (SAE) is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose results in death, is life-threatening, and requires inpatient hospitalization or causes prolongation of existing hospitalization.

  3. Number of Participants With Adverse Events Leading to Discontinuation

    Time frame: From first dose of study medication through 100 days following last dose of study treatment (Assessed approximately 04 months up to a max of approximately 106 months)

    An Adverse Event (AE) is defined as any new untoward medical occurrence or worsening of a preexisting medical condition in a clinical investigation participant administered study treatment and that does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (such as an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment.

  4. Number of Participants Who Died

    Time frame: From first dose of study medication until study closure (Up to approximately 144 months)

    Number of participants who died during the study.

  5. Number of Participants With Laboratory Abnormalities in Specific Liver Tests

    Time frame: From first dose of study medication through 100 days following last dose of study treatment (Assessed approximately 04 months up to a max of approximately 106 months)

    Participants with abnormalities in liver function tests related to potential drug-induced liver injury. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for liver function parameters, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Abnormalities were assessed relative to the upper limit of normal (ULN) for each parameter.

    Abbreviations: ALT = Alanine Aminotransferase; AST = Aspartate Aminotransferase; ULN = Upper Limit of Normal.

  6. Number of Participants With Laboratory Abnormalities in Specific Thyroid Tests

    Time frame: From first dose of study medication through 100 days following last dose of study treatment (Assessed approximately 04 months up to a max of approximately 106 months)

    Number of participants with thyroid-related laboratory abnormalities during the study. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for thyroid function markers (FT3, FT4). Abnormalities were assessed against LLN and ULN for each parameter.

    Abbreviations: FT3 = Free T3; FT4 = Free T4; LLN = Lower Limit of Normal; ULN = Upper Limit of Normal; TSH = Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

  7. Objective Response Rate (ORR) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) for Cohort 2

    Time frame: From the start of the study treatment until disease progression, or the date of subsequent anti-cancer therapy, whichever occurs first (Up to approximately 144 months)

    Objective response rate (ORR) is defined as the percent of all treated participants whose best overall response (BOR) is either complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) by BICR per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1). Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

  8. Objective Response Rate (ORR) by Investigator for Cohorts 3, 4, 5, and 6

    Time frame: From the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 5) until disease progression, or the date of subsequent anti-cancer therapy, whichever occurs first (Up to approximately 144 months)

    Objective response rate (ORR) is defined as the percent of all treated participants whose best overall response (BOR) is either complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) by Investigator per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1). Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Objective Response Rate (ORR) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) for Cohort 1

    Time frame: From the start of the study treatment until disease progression, or the date of subsequent anti-cancer therapy, whichever occurs first (Up to approximately 144 months)

    Objective response rate (ORR) is defined as the percent of all treated participants whose best overall response (BOR) is either complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) by BICR per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1). Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

  2. Number of Participants With Complete Response (CR) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)

    Time frame: From the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 1, 2, 5) up to approximately 144 months after first dose

    The number of participants whose best overall response (BOR) is CR in the population of interest. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 10 mm.

  3. Disease Control Rate (DCR) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)

    Time frame: From the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 1, 2, 5) until disease progression, or the date of subsequent anti-cancer therapy, whichever occurs first (Up to approximately 144 months)

    The percentage of participants whose best overall response (BOR) is CR, PR or SD in the population of interest. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Stable Disease (SD): Failure to meet criteria for complete or partial response, in the absence of progressive disease. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

  4. Duration of Response (DOR) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)

    Time frame: From first documented response to first documented progression or death, whichever occurs first (Up to approximately 144 months)

    DOR is defined as the time from the first documented objective response (either complete or partial response) until the date of disease progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs first.

    Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 10 mm.

    Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.

    Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

  5. Time to Response (TTR) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)

    Time frame: From the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 1, 2, 5) to the date of attainment of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) (up to approximately 144 months)

    Time to Response (TTR) defined as the time from randomization to the date of the first confirmed CR or PR for Cohort 3, 4 and 6, and from the first dosing date of study medication to the date of the first confirmed CR or PR for cohort 1, 2 and 5.

    Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 10 mm.

    Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.

  6. Time to Progression (TTP) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)

    Time frame: From the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 1, 2, 5) up to the date of objectively documented progression or the date of subsequent anti-cancer therapy, whichever occurs first (Up to approximately 144 months)

    Time to Progression (TTP) is defined from the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 1, 2, 5) to the date of the first objectively documented disease progression. Participants who have not progressed as assessed by radiography will be censored at the last tumor assessment date prior to subsequent anti-cancer therapy. Participants who have no on-study tumor assessments were censored at the date of randomization.

    Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

  7. Time to Progression (TTP) Rate Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)

    Time frame: At 6 and 12 months

    TTP rate is defined as the percentage of participants without disease progression at select time points (milestones) during the study.

    Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

  8. Progression Free Survival (PFS) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)

    Time frame: From the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 1, 2, 5) up to documented disease progression or death, whichever occurs first (up to approximately 144 months)

    PFS is defined as the time from randomization date or first dosing date of study medication to the date of the first objectively documented tumor progression or death due to any cause. Participants who die without a reported prior progression will be considered to have progressed on the date of their death. Participants who did not progress or die will be censored on the date of their last tumor assessment.

    Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5mm (Note: The appearance of 1or more new lesions is also considered progression).

  9. Overall Survival (OS)

    Time frame: From the date of randomization (Cohort 3, 4, 6) or the date of first dose (Cohort 1, 2, 5) up to the date of death or date last known alive (up to approximately 144 months)

    OS is defined as the time from randomization date or first dosing date of study medication to the date of death (due to any cause). Participants who were alive were censored at the last known alive dates.

  10. Overall Survival (OS) Rate

    Time frame: At 6, 12, 24, 48 and 60 months

    OS rate is defined as the percentage of participants who are still alive at certain time points during the study.

  11. Maximum Observed Serum Concentration (Cmax)

    Time frame: At Cycle 1 Day 1 and Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    Cmax is the maximum observed serum concentration.

  12. Time of Maximum Observed Serum Concentration (Tmax)

    Time frame: At Cycle 1 Day 1 and Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    Tmax is the time taken to reach the maximum observed serum concentration (Cmax).

  13. Area Under the Serum Concentration Time Curve in the Dosing Interval [AUC(TAU)]

    Time frame: At Cycle 1 Day 1 and Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    AUC (TAU) is the area measured under the concentration-time curve taken over the dosing interval.

  14. Serum Concentration Achieved at the End of Dosing Interval (Trough Concentration) (Ctrough)

    Time frame: At Cycle 1 Day 1 and Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    Ctrough is the lowest observed serum concentration.

  15. Serum Concentration Achieved at the End of the Infusion (Ceoinf)

    Time frame: At Cycle 1 Day 1 and Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    Serum Concentration Achieved at the End of the Infusion (Ceoinf) refers to the amount of drug present in the blood (serum) immediately after the completion of an infusion. It represents the concentration measured at the exact time the infusion ends, before any significant elimination or distribution occurs.

  16. Ratio of an Exposure Measure at Steady State to That After the First Dose (Exposure Measure Includes Cmax) (AI_Cmax)

    Time frame: At Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    AI_Cmax is ratio of an exposure measure at steady state to that after the first dose (exposure measure includes Cmax)

  17. Accumulation Index Ratio of AUC at Steady State to That After the First Dose (AI_AUC)

    Time frame: At Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    AI_AUC is accumulation index ratio of AUC at steady state to that after the first dose

  18. Effective T-Half (T-HALF)

    Time frame: At Cycle 3 Day 1 (Each Cycle = 2 Weeks)

    Effective half-life is defined as the time it takes for the amount of a drug in the body to decrease by half.

  19. Number of Participants With Anti-drug Antibodies (ADA)

    Time frame: From first dose of study medication through 100 days following last dose of study treatment (Assessed approximately 04 months up to a max of approximately 106 months)

    Baseline ADA Positive: Participant with baseline ADA-positive sample ADA Positive: Participant with at least one ADA-positive sample relative to baseline Persistent Positive (PP): ADA-positive sample at 2 or more consecutive timepoints Not PP-Last Sample Positive: Not persistent but with ADA-positive sample at the last sampling timepoint Other Positive: Not persistent but some ADA-positive samples with the last sample being negative ADA Negative: Participant with no ADA-positive sample after initiation of treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Industry

Collaborators

  • Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase 1/2, Dose-escalation, Open-label, Non-comparative Study of Nivolumab or Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Subjects With or Without Chronic Viral Hepatitis; and a Randomized, Open-label Study of Nivolumab vs Sorafenib in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Subjects Who Are Naive to Systemic Therapy

Acronym: CheckMate040

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 7, 2012
Registry last updated
Dec 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.