New drug targets virus to fight rare cancer

NCT ID NCT04925544

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests a drug called VK-2019 in 13 patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive nasopharyngeal cancer that has returned or spread and has no standard treatment. VK-2019 works by blocking a key viral protein, EBNA1, which the virus needs to survive. The main goal is to see if the drug can shrink tumors.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

VK-2019 (a drug that targets the EBNA1 protein of the Epstein-Barr virus)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could provide a new treatment option for patients with Epstein-Barr virus-related nasopharyngeal cancer who have run out of standard therapies.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 13 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The drug may not shrink tumors or improve survival, and side effects are still being studied.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

Epstein-Barr virus infection Epstein-Barr virus-associated carcinoma Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorder Epstein-Barr virus-related tumor nasopharyngeal carcinoma nasopharyngeal carcinoma, susceptibility to, 1 nasopharyngeal neoplasm post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Stanford University

    Stanford, California, 94305, United States