Can a nanoparticle vaccine stop the virus behind mono and some cancers?
NCT ID NCT04645147
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage trial is testing whether a new vaccine can safely train the immune system to fight Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes infectious mononucleosis and is linked to several cancers. Healthy adults aged 18 to 29, both with and without prior EBV infection, will receive three doses of the vaccine over six months. Researchers will monitor side effects and measure immune responses to see if the vaccine warrants further study.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- an experimental EBV vaccine made from gp350 protein attached to ferritin nanoparticles, combined with an adjuvant called Matrix-M1
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could pave the way for a vaccine that prevents EBV infection and its complications, including infectious mononucleosis and certain cancers.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1 trial with only 83 participants, so the vaccine may prove unsafe or fail to generate a strong immune response. Side effects like injection site pain or fatigue are possible.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
-
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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