DNA vaccines aim to supercharge immune therapy against skin cancer
NCT ID NCT04079166
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial is testing two experimental DNA vaccines, SCIB1 and iSCIB1+, in combination with standard immunotherapy drugs for people with advanced melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery. The study involves 173 participants and aims to see if adding these vaccines is safe and can improve how well the standard treatments work. The vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to better fight 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
- SCIB1 and iSCIB1+ DNA vaccines
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a new treatment option that boosts the immune system's ability to fight advanced melanoma, potentially making standard therapies work better and longer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase 2 trial, so it's still early. The vaccines may not improve outcomes or could cause side effects. Results may not apply to all 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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 173 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2019
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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: 1. Histologically confirmed diagnosis of unresectable Stage III or Stage IV melanoma. 2. Not received prior systemic treatment for advanced disease. Prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment, defined as treatment prior to or following resection of all detectable disease, is permitted; last dose must be at least 24 weeks before the first dose of SCIB1 or iSCIB1+. 3. Checkpoint inhibition with either nivolumab with ipilimumab or pembrolizumab will be an appropriate treatment for their advanced disease. 4. BRAF status must be known; patients with BRAF mutation positive disease may be enrolled without BRAF inhibitor treatment at the discretion of the Investigator, provided that they have no evidence of rapidly progressing disease. 5. At least one measurable lesion per RECIST 1.1 criteria by CT scan or MRI. 6. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive (applicable for cohort 1, 2 and 3). 7. Positive for HLA-DR4, HLA-DR7, HLA-DR53 or HLA-DQ6 (applicable for cohort 1, 2 and 3). 8. Patients for whom nivolumab with ipilimumab is determined to be an appropriate treatment will be treated in cohort 4 with iSCIB1+ if: 1. the target HLA haplotype does not match as stated in criteria number 6 and 7, or 2. they are unable to wait for HLA screening results prior to enrolment or starting treatment, or 3. cohort 1 and cohort 3 have completed or closed to recruitment. 9. At least 18 years of age. 10. A life expectancy of more than 3 months. 11. ECOG performance status of 0 or 1. 12. Adequate organ function as determined by protocol laboratory values. 13. Able and willing to provide written informed consent prior to any study related procedure. 14. Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test during screening and be neither breastfeeding nor intending to become pregnant during study participation, and shall be warned of potential foetal harm from nivolumab with ipilimumab or pembrolizumab. Women of child-bearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraceptive methods prior to study entry, for the whole duration of study treatment, and for 120 days after discontinuation of SCIB1 or iSCIB1+, or nivolumab with ipilimumab, or pembrolizumab, whichever is last. 15. Men who are potentially fertile with partners of childbearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraceptive methods for the whole duration of study treatment, and for 120 days after discontinuation of SCIB1 or iSCIB1+, or nivolumab with ipilimumab, or pembrolizumab, whichever is last. 16. Must be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests and other study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. A diagnosis of mucosal, acral or ocular melanoma. 2. Has central nervous system metastases or carcinomatous meningitis. 3. Has previously received a treatment to block cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), PD-L1, or programmed death-ligand 2 (PD-L2) with the following exception: patients who have received neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with these treatments are eligible, provided that the last dose was administered at least 24 weeks before the first dose of SCIB1 or iSCIB1+. 4. Patients with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) \> 2 x ULN. 5. Expected to require any other form of systemic or localized anticancer therapy while receiving study treatment. 6. Taking any systemic steroid therapy within 1 week of the first dose of study drug or is receiving any other form of immune suppressant medication. Physiological doses of systemic steroids such as those for the management of adrenal insufficiency, as well as topical and inhaled steroids, such as those for the management of asthma, are permitted. 7. Receiving treatment with any investigational product within 28 days (or 5 half-lives of the treatment concerned) prior to the first dose of study treatment. 8. Has a previous (within 5 years) or current malignancy with the exception of melanoma, and curatively treated local tumours. 9. Has a concurrent illness which would preclude study conduct and assessment. 10. Has New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease, myocardial infarction within previous 6 months, a heart rate of ≤ 50 beats per minute, a history of significant cardiac abnormality and/or clinically significant abnormal baseline ECG reading, active ischemia, or any other uncontrolled cardiac condition. 11. Has a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to treatment with a monoclonal antibody. 12. Has an active autoimmune disease or a documented history of autoimmune disease or syndrome that requires systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents (patients with vitiligo or resolved childhood asthma/atopy are an exception and are not excluded for these conditions). The following patients are not excluded from the study: patients who require intermittent use of bronchodilators or local steroid injections, patients with hypothyroidism stable on hormone replacement, and patients who receive physiological doses of steroids as replacement therapy, such as those for the management of adrenal insufficiency. In such cases the recruiting investigator should discuss the patients' eligibility with the study Medical Monitor prior to enrolment. 13. Received a live vaccine within the 28 days prior to first dose of study treatment, or patient has received a non-live vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines, within 14 days prior to first dose of study treatment. 14. A known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or has any positive test for hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus indicating active acute or chronic infection. 15. A known current or recent history (within the last year) of substance abuse including illicit drugs or alcohol.
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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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Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Northwood, United Kingdom
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Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
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Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Preston, United Kingdom
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Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford, United Kingdom
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Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
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Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Taunton, United Kingdom
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The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester, United Kingdom
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The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds, United Kingdom
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The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
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University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
Plymouth, United Kingdom
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University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Southampton, United Kingdom
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Velindre University NHS Trust
Cardiff, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Real-World melanoma care under the microscope
- Can injecting immune drugs directly into tumors revive response to checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma?
- A simple dye might replace radioactive tracers in cancer staging
- A new recipe for cancer care: social prescriptions and Bite-Sized learning
- Can a short Pre-Surgery immunotherapy course replace Long-Term adjuvant treatment for melanoma?
- Can two immune boosters beat advanced melanoma?