New vaccine combo targets rare liver cancer in early trial
NCT ID NCT04248569
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase trial tests a peptide vaccine designed to target a specific protein found in fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), a rare liver cancer. The vaccine is combined with two immunotherapy drugs (nivolumab and ipilimumab) to boost the immune system's attack on cancer cells. The study enrolls about 56 people with advanced FLC or other tumors carrying the same genetic change. The main goals are to check safety and measure immune response.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine (Hiltonol) plus nivolumab and ipilimumab
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare liver cancer with few effective therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 1 trial focused on safety, not yet proven to shrink tumors or extend life. The combination of drugs may cause significant side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 56 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2020
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2034
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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12 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
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.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21231, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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