New combo therapy aims to boost immune attack on brain cancer

NCT ID NCT03688178

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Annick Desjardins, MD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding a dendritic cell vaccine and an immune-boosting drug (varlilumab) to standard chemotherapy can help people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma live longer. About 43 participants will receive the vaccine plus temozolomide, with some also getting varlilumab. The goal is to see if these treatments can improve survival and safely reduce immune cells that block the body's attack on the tumor.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: dendritic cell vaccine (pp65 CMV DCs), temozolomide, varlilumab
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could extend survival for people with glioblastoma, a hard-to-treat brain cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 43 participants. The treatment may not improve outcomes and could cause side effects from chemotherapy or the immune-based therapy.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

glioblastoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

GLIOBLASTOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Duke University Medical Center

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.