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DNAJB1-PRKACA Fusion Kinase Peptide Vaccine Combined With Nivolumab and Ipilimumab for Patients With Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

DNAJB1-PRKACA Fusion Kinase Peptide Vaccine Combined With Nivolumab and Ipilimumab for Patients With Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Recruiting
12 years and older
All
Phase 1

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Overview

The primary objective of the trial is the safety and tolerability of administering a vaccine targeting the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion kinase, in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic FLC and with non-FLC solid tumors and to assess the T-cell response.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria for Cohort A, B and C:

  • Cohort A and B: Must have histologically confirmed FLC (fibrolamellar hepatocellular cancer) that is metastatic or unresectable.
  • Cohort C: Patients with histologically proven metastatic or unresectable DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript positive solid tumor malignancies, non-FLC solid tumors.
  • Cohort A and B: Age > 12 years. Note: Subjects age > 12 years but <18 are eligible to enroll only after 6 adult patients have enrolled on the study.
  • Cohort A and B: Patients < 18 years old must have a body weight ≥40 kg.
  • Cohort C: Patients must be Age ≥ 18 years.

All Cohorts:

  • Presence of DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript, assessed by RNA-sequencing, DNA-sequencing, or in situ hybridization in the archival tissue.
  • ECOG performance status of ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%)
  • Patients must have adequate liver, kidney and marrow function defined by study-specified laboratory tests prior to initial study drug.
  • Patients must have measurable disease per RECIST 1.1.
  • Must be willing to provide tissue and blood samples for mandatory translational research.
  • Woman of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test and follow contraceptive guidelines as defined per protocol.
  • Men must use acceptable form of birth control while on study.
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria for Cohorts A, B and C:

  • Cohort A and C: Patients with a history of prior treatment with checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, anti-OX-40, anti-CD40, anti-CTLA-4, or anti-LAG-3 antibodies. NOTE: Prior therapy with interferon-alpha is allowed.
  • Cohort B: Participants a with history of unacceptable, life-threatening toxicity related to prior immune therapy (eg, anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment, any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or immune checkpoint pathways) except those that are unlikely to re-occur with standard countermeasures (eg, hormone replacement after endocrinopathy).

All Cohorts:

  • Have had chemotherapy or other systemic therapy or radiotherapy, as follows:
    • Have had chemotherapy, biological cancer therapy, or radiation 14 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
    • Have had surgery within 28 days of dosing of investigational agent, excluding minor procedures (dental work, skin biopsy, etc.), celiac plexus block, and biliary stent placement.
    • Have received other approved or investigational agents or device within 28 days of the first dose of study drug.
    • Have not recovered from acute adverse events to grade ≤1 or baseline due to agents administered.
  • Have received any non-oncology live vaccine therapy used for prevention of

    infectious diseases within 28 days of study treatment

  • Known sensitivity to or history of allergic reactions to investigational drug (s).
  • Hypersensitivity reaction to any monoclonal antibody.
  • Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years, or a documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease, or a syndrome that requires systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents.
  • Presence of any tissue or organ allograft, regardless of need for immunosuppression, including corneal allograft. Patients with a history of allogeneic hematopoeitic stem cell transplant will be excluded.
  • Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency.
  • Systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (>10 mg daily prednisone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 7 days of study drug administration.
  • Symptomatic interstitial lung disease.
  • Has a pulse oximetry of <92% on room air or is on supplemental home oxygen.
  • Active or untreated brain metastases or leptomeningeal metastases.
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, uncontrolled infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, cardiac arrhythmia, metastatic cancer, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Infection with HIV or hepatitis B or C.
  • Have had evidence of active or acute diverticulitis, intra-abdominal abscess, or GI obstruction.
  • Unwilling or unable to follow the study schedule for any reason.
  • Any other sound medical, psychiatric, and/or social reason as determined by the Investigator.
  • Any illicit drugs or other substance abuse.
  • Clinically meaningful ascites.

Inclusion Criteria for Re-Enrolling Patients:

  • Patients previously treated with the vaccine targeting the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion kinase in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab, who, in the opinion of the principal investigator, had clinical or radiological benefits.
  • Patients < 18 years old must have a body weight ≥40 kg.
  • ECOG performance status of ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%, see Appendix A).
  • Patients must have adequate liver, kidney and marrow function defined by study-specified laboratory tests prior to initial study drug.
  • Patients must have measurable disease per RECIST 1.1.
  • Willingness to provide tissue and blood samples for mandatory translational research.
  • Woman of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test and follow contraceptive guidelines as defined per protocol.
  • Men must use acceptable form of birth control while on study.
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria for Re-Enrolling Patients:

  • Participants with a history of prior unacceptable and/or life-threatening toxicities.
  • Patients who have had chemotherapy or other systemic therapy or radiotherapy, as
    follows
    • Patients who have had chemotherapy, biological cancer therapy, or radiation 14 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
    • Patients who have had surgery within 28 days of dosing of investigational agent, excluding minor procedures (dental work, skin biopsy, etc.), celiac plexus block, and biliary stent placement.
    • Patients who have received other approved or investigational agents or device within 28 days of the first dose of study drug.
    • Patients who have not recovered from acute adverse events to grade ≤1 or baseline due to agents administered, with exception of alopecia or stable neuropathy, unless approved by the IND Sponsor.
  • Patients who have received any non-oncology live vaccine therapy used for prevention

    of infectious diseases within 28 days of study treatment.

  • Known sensitivity to or history of allergic reactions to investigational drug (s).
  • Hypersensitivity reaction to any monoclonal antibody.
  • Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years, or a documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease, or a syndrome that requires systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents.
  • Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years, or a documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease, or a syndrome that requires systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents.
  • Presence of any tissue or organ allograft, regardless of need for immunosuppression, including corneal allograft. Patients with a history of allogeneic hematopoeitic stem cell transplant will be excluded.
  • Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency.
  • Systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (>10 mg daily prednisone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 7 days of study drug administration.
  • Symptomatic interstitial lung disease.
  • Has a pulse oximetry of <92% on room air or is on supplemental home oxygen.
  • Active or untreated brain metastases or leptomeningeal metastases.
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, uncontrolled infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, cardiac arrhythmia, metastatic cancer, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Infection with HIV or hepatitis B or C.
  • Have had evidence of active or acute diverticulitis, intra-abdominal abscess, or GI obstruction.
  • Unwilling or unable to follow the study schedule for any reason.
  • Any other sound medical, psychiatric, and/or social reason as determined by the Investigator.
  • Any illicit drugs or other substance abuse.
  • Clinically meaningful ascites.

Study details
    Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma (FLC)

NCT04248569

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

17 July 2025

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