Sponsor: AstraZeneca (industry)
Phase: 3
Start date: March 4, 2024
Planned enrollment: 572
AZD0901 (sonesitatug vedotin; formerly CMG901) is a Claudin 18.2–targeted antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) being developed by AstraZeneca under a global license from KYM Biosciences (Keymed/Lepu). It is in phase 3 for second- or later-line Claudin 18.2–positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma and in additional phase 2 studies across Claudin 18.2–expressing solid tumors. (news.cision.com, ascopost.com, cdek.pharmacy.purdue.edu)
Note: No randomized efficacy data have been reported yet; phase 3 readouts are pending. (cdek.pharmacy.purdue.edu)
Notes on terminology: Sonesitatug vedotin is the published international nonproprietary name (INN) associated with AZD0901/CMG901; “vedotin” denotes an MMAE payload. (oncologypipeline.com)
Last updated: Sep 2025
Apatinib (also known internationally as rivoceranib; YN968D1) is an oral small‑molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that primarily targets VEGFR‑2 to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. It is approved in China for advanced gastric cancer and for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in certain settings, while remaining investigational in many regions. Clinical development includes monotherapy and combinations (notably with the PD‑1 inhibitor camrelizumab) across gastric/GEJ cancer, HCC, thyroid cancer, and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (globenewswire.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (post‑chemotherapy) - Phase III, randomized, double‑blind trial in chemotherapy‑refractory disease: apatinib improved median overall survival (OS 6.5 vs 4.7 months; HR 0.71) and progression‑free survival (PFS 2.6 vs 1.8 months) versus placebo. Common grade 3–4 events included hand‑foot syndrome, proteinuria, and hypertension. Phase II data also showed PFS and OS gains vs placebo with partial responses in 9/96 apatinib‑treated patients. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Hepatocellular carcinoma - Camrelizumab + rivoceranib (CARES‑310, randomized international phase III): significantly improved PFS (5.6 vs 3.7 months; HR 0.52) and interim OS (22.1 vs 15.2 months; HR 0.62) versus sorafenib; confirmed ORR 25.4% vs 5.9%. Final OS analysis reported median OS 23.8 months with the combination vs 15.2 months with sorafenib (HR 0.64). (sciencedirect.com, thelancet.com, ascopost.com, elevartherapeutics.com)
Differentiated thyroid cancer (radioiodine‑refractory, RAIR‑DTC) - REALITY randomized phase II trial (apatinib vs placebo): ORR 54.3% vs 2.2%; median PFS 22.2 vs 4.5 months (HR 0.26). Long‑term single‑arm phase II follow‑up reported ORR 80% and median PFS 18.4 months. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, jamanetwork.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Non–small cell lung cancer (pretreated) - Trials in advanced nonsquamous NSCLC suggest activity: a randomized phase II study reported median PFS 4.7 vs 1.9 months vs placebo (ORR 12.2% vs 0%); single‑arm studies show ORR around 13% with manageable toxicity. (dovepress.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Regulatory notes - In China, apatinib is approved for gastric cancer and as monotherapy in second‑line advanced HCC; camrelizumab + rivoceranib is approved as first‑line therapy for unresectable HCC. In the United States, rivoceranib remains investigational; an FDA resubmission for camrelizumab + rivoceranib in first‑line unresectable HCC was accepted with a target action date of March 20, 2025. (globenewswire.com, kedglobal.com, elevartherapeutics.com)
Notes: Doses and management varied across studies; consult each study for full inclusion criteria and dosing/regimen details.
Last updated: Sep 2025
Goal: Evaluate whether the Claudin 18.2–targeted antibody–drug conjugate AZD0901 improves progression-free and overall survival versus investigator’s choice of therapy in previously treated, advanced/metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma expressing CLDN18.2, and concurrently validate the clinical performance of the Ventana CLDN18.2 assay for patient selection.
Patients: Adults (≥18 years) with histologically confirmed unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic gastric, GEJ, or distal esophageal adenocarcinoma, CLDN18.2-positive by archival (≤24 months) or fresh biopsy, after progression on at least one prior line including a fluoropyrimidine and a platinum; ECOG 0–1; adequate organ function; measurable or evaluable disease. Key exclusions include HER2-positive tumors, significant or unstable gastric bleeding/ulcers, active or recent CNS disease, clinically significant corneal disease, persistent ≥grade 2 toxicities from prior therapy, prior ADC with MMAE or non-antibody CLDN18.2-targeted therapies, and recent thromboembolic events.
Design: Global, multi-center, open-label, sponsor-blinded, randomized phase III trial. Approximately 572 participants randomized to AZD0901 or investigator’s choice of standard regimens. Stratification and central blinded independent review are planned for efficacy assessments. The trial also incorporates evaluation of an investigational CLDN18.2 IVD assay.
Treatments: AZD0901 monotherapy (two dose levels were planned; enrollment to the higher dose arm has been closed). AZD0901 (sonesitatug vedotin) is a Claudin 18.2–targeted antibody–drug conjugate that delivers the microtubule inhibitor MMAE via a cleavable linker, with additional Fc-mediated effector functions and potential bystander effect. In phase 1 gastric/GEJ cohorts, confirmed objective response rate was about 28% to 33% with median duration of response near 8 months; grade ≥3 toxicities were mainly hematologic and gastrointestinal, supporting a recommended dose around 2.2 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Comparator: investigator’s choice of regionally accepted therapies, including ramucirumab plus paclitaxel, single-agent paclitaxel, docetaxel, irinotecan, TAS-102, or apatinib (briefly, VEGFR2 inhibitor used in some regions for refractory gastric cancer).
Outcomes: Dual primary endpoints: progression-free survival in all randomized participants and overall survival in the subset treated in third line or later. Key secondary endpoints include overall survival and PFS in all randomized and in 3L+ subgroups, objective response rate and duration of response by BICR per RECIST 1.1, safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics of AZD0901/total antibody/MMAE, and immunogenicity (ADA prevalence, incidence, and titer).
Burden on patient: Moderate. As a phase III ADC study, participants will undergo standard oncology visits and imaging at intervals typical for metastatic gastric cancer, plus added procedures for ADC characterization: serial blood draws for PK and immunogenicity through at least 30 days after discontinuation, and testing for CLDN18.2 positivity via archival tissue or fresh biopsy if needed. Treatment involves intravenous infusions on a repeating schedule with monitoring for infusion reactions and ADC-related toxicities, which may require more frequent labs early in treatment. Travel and time commitments are greater than for oral regimens but comparable to standard IV chemotherapy comparators; additional PK/ADA sampling increases visit duration and venipunctures.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Capable of giving signed informed consent prior to any study procedure.
2. Participant must be at least 18 years or the legal age of consent in the jurisdiction in which the study is taking place at the time of signing the ICF.
3. Histologically confirmed unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of gastric, GEJ, or distal esophagus (distal third of the esophagus) and the following requirement:
(a) Participants with positive CLDN18.2 expression from archival tumor collected within past 24 months or from a fresh biopsy.
4. Disease progression on or after at least one prior line of treatment (LoT) for advanced or metastatic disease, which included a fluoropyrimidine and a platinum, for advanced or metastatic disease.
5. Must have at least one measurable or evaluable lesion assessed by the Investigator based on RECIST 1.1.
6. ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 with no deterioration over the previous 2 weeks prior to baseline or day of first dosing.
7. Predicted life expectancy of ≥ 12 weeks.
8. Adequate organ and bone marrow function
9. Body weight of ≥ 35 kg.
10. Sex and Contraceptive Requirements
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Participants with known HER2 positive status as defined as IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/ISH + (Cases with HER2: CEP17 ratio ≥ 2 or an average HER2 copy number ≥ 6.0 signals/cell are considered positive by ISH). Participants must undergo local (or have had) HER2 testing by IHC/ISH, and the most recent result of HER2 status will be used to determine the eligibility.
2. Participant has significant or unstable gastric bleeding and/or untreated gastric ulcers.
3. CNS metastases or CNS pathology including: epilepsy, seizures or aphasia within 3 months prior to consent, severe brain injury, dementia, Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cerebellar disease, severe uncontrolled mental illness, psychosis, CNS involvement of autoimmune diseases.
4. Participant has known clinically significant corneal disease (eg, active keratitis or corneal ulcerations).
5. Persistent toxicities (CTCAE Grade ≥ 2) caused by previous anticancer therapy, excluding alopecia. Participants with irreversible toxicity that is not reasonably expected to be exacerbated by study intervention may be included (eg, hearing loss).
6. Prior exposure to any ADC with MMAE payload or any CLDN18.2 targeting treatment other than naked monoclonal antibody (eg, CLDN18.2 targeting CAR-T cell therapy, multi-specific antibody including targeting CLDN18.2, etc).
7. History of thromboembolic events:
1. Participants with venous thromboembolism within the past 6 months prior to randomization: participants with venous port or catheter thrombosis or superficial venous thrombus that do not require treatment or are stable on treatment with anticoagulants are excepted
2. History of arterial thromboembolism within the past 12 months prior to randomization
8. As judged by the Investigator, any evidence of diseases which in the Investigator's opinion, makes it undesirable for the participant to participate in the study or that would jeopardize compliance with the protocol.
São Paulo, 05652-900, Brazil
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ribeirão Preto, 14051-140, Brazil
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Porto Alegre, 91350-200, Brazil
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Vitória, 29043-272, Brazil
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N2, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
North York, Ontario, M2K 1E1, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
London, Ontario, N6C 2R5, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Barrie, Ontario, L4M 6M2, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Fuzhou, 350001, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Shenyang, 110042, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Shanghai, 200040, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Shanghai, 200032, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Shanghai, 200025, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Qingdao, 266003, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Nanjing, 210009, China
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Nanjing, 210008, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Luoyang, 471003, China
No email / No phone
Status: SUSPENDED
Lishui, 323000, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Lanzhou, 730000, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Jining, 272029, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Jinan, 250117, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hefei, 230601, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hefei, 230031, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hefei, 230022, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Harbin, 150049, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hangzhou, 310022, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hangzhou, 310020, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Guangzhou, 510700, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Guangzhou, 510655, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Guangzhou, 510120, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Guangzhou, 510060, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Fuzhou, 350014, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Chengdu, 610042, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Chengdu, 610000, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Changsha, 410013, China
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Changchun, 130021, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Beijing, 100210, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Zhengzhou, 450003, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Yinchuan, 750004, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Xi'an, 710061, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Wuhan, 430030, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Wuhan, 430000, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ürümqi, 830000, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Tianjin, 300060, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Suzhou, 215004, China
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Besançon, 25030, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Brest, 29200, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Lille, 59037, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Lyon, 69008, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Nantes, 44000, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Paris, 75571, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Poitiers, 86021, France
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Moers, 47441, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Göttingen, 37075, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hamburg, 20246, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Frankfurt, 60488, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
München, 81377, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Berlin, 13353, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Berlin, 10249, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Dresden, 01067, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Dresden, 01370, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Essen, 45136, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Heilbronn, 74078, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Marburg, 35043, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Mainz, 55131, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Leipzig, 04103, Germany
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hong Kong, 150001, Hong Kong
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
New Delhi, 110085, India
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Mumbai, 400012, India
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hyderabad, 500082, India
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Bengaluru, 560027, India
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Ahmedabad, 380015, India
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Milan, 20133, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Florence, 50134, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Milan, 20162, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Modena, 41124, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Napoli, 80131, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Padua, 35128, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Pisa, 56100, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Vicenza, 36100, Italy
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ogaki-shi, 503-8502, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Nagoya, 464-8681, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Kōtoku, 135-8550, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Kashiwa, 227-8577, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Toyoake-shi, 470-1192, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Yokohama, 241-8515, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Sunto-gun, 411-8777, Japan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Warsaw, 04-141, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Bielsko-Biala, 43-300, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Gdansk, 80-219, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Katowice, 40-514, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Krakow, 31-501, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Lublin, 20-080, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Szczecin, 71-730, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Słupsk, 76-200, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Tomaszów Mazowiecki, 97-200, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Warsaw, 02-034, Poland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seoul, 06351, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seoul, 06591, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seoul, 05505, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Active, not recruiting
Seoul, 03722, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seoul, 03080, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Gyeonggi-do, 13620, South Korea
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Barcelona, 08036, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Madrid, 28034, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Madrid, 28041, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ourense, 32005, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Santander, 39008, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seville, 41013, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Barcelona, 8035, Spain
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Bern, 3010, Switzerland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Zurich, 8032, Switzerland
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Kaohsiung City, 00807, Taiwan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Taoyuan District, 333, Taiwan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Kaohsiung City, 83301, Taiwan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Taichung, 40447, Taiwan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Tainan City, Taiwan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Taipei, 112, Taiwan
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hat Yai, 90110, Thailand
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Dusit, 10300, Thailand
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ankara, 06230, Turkey (Türkiye)
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Diyarbakır, 21280, Turkey (Türkiye)
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Erzurum, 25240, Turkey (Türkiye)
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Istanbul, 34098, Turkey (Türkiye)
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Taunton, TA1 5DA, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Oxford, OX3 7LE, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
London, SW3 6JJ, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
London, EC1A 7BE, United Kingdom
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Mobile, Alabama, 36604, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Tucson, Arizona, 85719, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Duarte, California, 91010, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Fullerton, California, 92835, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Irvine, California, 92618, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Los Angeles, California, 90089, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Newport Beach, California, 92663, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Santa Rosa, California, 95403, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20007, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Fleming Island, Florida, 32003, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hollywood, Florida, 33021, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Orlando, Florida, 32804, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Marietta, Georgia, 30060, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96819, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Boise, Idaho, 83712, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
St Louis, Missouri, 63128, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
New York, New York, 10065, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
New York, New York, 10032, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
New York, New York, 10016, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Mineola, New York, 11501, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Withdrawn
York, Pennsylvania, 17403, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22408, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Not yet recruiting
Olympia, Washington, 98502, United States
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Vinh, 460000, Vietnam
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting
Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
No email / No phone
Status: Recruiting