Could a simple immunization shield cancer patients from severe COVID-19?
NCT ID NCT04442048
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 3 trial tested whether a biologic called IMM-101 could reduce severe respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in cancer patients at higher risk. 195 participants either received three doses of IMM-101 or were simply observed. The goal was to see if the treatment could prevent flu-like illness that disrupts cancer care or leads to hospitalization.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- IMM-101 (a biologic vaccine-like agent)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a way to help protect cancer patients from severe respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
- What could go wrong
- This trial is completed but results are not yet widely reported, so it is unclear if IMM-101 was effective. The study was also relatively small (195 participants), so findings may not apply to all cancer patients.
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 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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195 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2020
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A research network
The lead sponsor is a research network or cooperative group.
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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18 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: * Patient must be undergoing (or be planned to undergo) active treatment for one or more solid malignancy, lymphoma or myeloma. active treatment includes adjuvant, neoadjuvant and palliative intent treatment with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy. * Patients must have one or more of the following risk factors \[CDC 2019\] for a severe COVID-19 infection: * Age \> 65 years old * Hypertension (on medications); * Type 1 or 2 Diabetes (on medication) * A relevant chronic condition as per the investigator based on the medical record, including: * heart (e.g. heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and pulmonary hypertension) * lung (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), moderate to severe asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis) * liver cirrhosis * serious kidney disease requiring dialysis * Receiving systemic therapy (such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted agents excluding single-agent hormonal therapy) * Body Mass Index \> 40 * Living in a nursing home or long term care facility * Patient must have a life expectancy of \>6 months as assessed by the investigator * Patient must have an ECOG Performance Status ≤ 2 * Patient has adequate organ function appropriate for the therapy the patient is planned to receive in the opinion of the investigator and based on local assessment and practices. * Patient is aged ≥ 18 years * Patient has agreed to receive pneumococcal vaccination and a seasonal influenza vaccination in accordance with Canadian Guidelines. * Patient is able (i.e. sufficiently fluent) and willing to complete the health utility questionnaires in either English or French. * Patient consent must be appropriately obtained in accordance with applicable local and regulatory requirements. Each patient must sign a consent form prior to enrollment in the trial to document their willingness to participate. * Patient must be willing to provide identifying information including provincial health insurance number to facilitate data linkage and follow up. * Patients must be accessible for treatment and follow-up. Investigators must assure themselves the patients enrolled on this trial will be available for complete documentation of the treatment, adverse events, and follow-up. * Women/men of childbearing potential must have agreed to use a highly effective contraceptive method throughout the treatment period and for at least 3 months after discontinuation of treatment. Exclusion Criteria: * Patient previously received treatment with IMM-101. * Patient cannot have either at present or in the past, a positive test for COVID-19 infection. If a patient has been tested for COVID-19, result must be confirmed as negative prior to enrollment. * Patient cannot have experienced "flu-like symptoms" within 14 days prior to enrollment, including fever, extreme fatigue, new or worsening cough, myalgias, new or worsening dyspnea, and/or sputum production. * Patient is receiving concomitant treatment with another investigational product or has received such treatment within the 3 weeks prior to enrollment. * Patient has any co-existing active infection that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may increase the risk associated with study participation or study drug administration, impair the ability of the subject to receive protocol therapy, interfere with the patient's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the patient to participate. * Patient has previously experienced an allergic reaction to any mycobacterial product, including the BCG vaccine. * Patients with superficial bladder cancer or any other condition currently receiving or planned to be treated with BCG. * Patient has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies) or a known history of or is known to have a positive test for Hepatitis B (HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (HCV RNA \[qualitative\]). * Patients with prior or concurrent leukemia. * Patient has had a prior bone marrow transplant. * Patient is pregnant or breast-feeding * Patient has documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease or a syndrome that requires systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents. This includes patient requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (\> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent, or depot corticosteroids in the 6 weeks before enrollment) or immunosuppressant drugs (such as azathioprine, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, etc.) within the 14 days prior to enrollment. Inhaled or topical steroids, and adrenal replacement steroid doses ≤ 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent, are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease. Steroids used for premedication prior to chemotherapy or as part of a chemotherapy regimen are allowed.
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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
Locations
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CHUM-Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal
Montreal, Quebec, H2X 3E4, Canada
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CIUSSS de l'Estrie - Centre hospitalier
Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada
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Juravinski Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences
Hamilton, Ontario, L8V 5C2, Canada
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London Regional Cancer Program
London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada
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Odette Cancer Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
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Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
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The Research Institute of the McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
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University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
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