Experimental vaccine aims to rally immune system against recurrent brain cancer
NCT ID NCT03299309
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage trial tests a vaccine called PEP-CMV in 30 children and young adults (ages 3–35) whose medulloblastoma or malignant glioma has come back. The vaccine is designed to train the immune system to attack tumor cells that carry a common virus protein (CMV). Participants also receive chemotherapy and a tetanus booster to boost the vaccine's effect. The main goal is to check safety, not yet to prove the vaccine works against the cancer.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
PEP-CMV vaccine (a peptide vaccine targeting CMV protein pp65, given with temozolomide and a tetanus-diphtheria booster)
What this could lead to
If this vaccine proves safe and triggers an immune response, it could point toward a new way to fight recurrent brain tumors in children and young adults.
What could go wrong
This is a very early (Phase 1) safety study with only 30 participants. The vaccine may not shrink tumors or improve survival, and there is a risk of side effects from the vaccine or chemotherapy.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States