Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT04248569

DNAJB1-PRKACA Fusion Kinase Peptide Vaccine Combined With Nivolumab and Ipilimumab for Patients With Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The primary objective of the trial is the safety and tolerability of administering a vaccine targeting the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion kinase, in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic FLC and with non-FLC solid tumors and to assess the T-cell response.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

12 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Colleen Apostol, RN

CONTACT

[email protected]

410-614-3644

Marina Baretti, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

410-614-1058

Marina Baretti, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Mark Yarchoan, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

DNAJB1-PRKACA Peptide Vaccine

Drug
  • DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine: Day 1, 8, 15 of cycle 1 and on Day 1 of cycle 2, 3 and 4 (priming phase). Boost vaccinations: every 3 cycles beginning C5D1.
  • Drug: 0.3 mg DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine + 0.5mg Poly-ICLC

Other names: Hiltonol® (Poly-ICLC)

Nivolumab

Drug
  • Nivolumab 3mg/kg will be administered as a 30 minute IV infusion (-10/+15min) on Day 1 of Cycle 1-4 during the priming phase. Boost/maintenance vaccinations will be administered as a flat dose of 480mg every 4 weeks starting on Day 1 of Cycle 5.
  • Drug: 3mg/kg and 480mg IV

Other names: OPDIVO

Ipilimumab

Drug
  • Ipilimumab (1 mg/kg) will be administered as a 30 minute IV infusion (-10/+15min) on Day 1 of Cycles 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the study, every 3 weeks of the priming phase.
  • Drug: 1mg/kg IV

Other names: YERVOY®

Primary outcomes

  1. All Cohorts: Number of participants experiencing study drug-related toxicities

    Time frame: 4 years

    Number of participants experiencing study drug-related adverse events Grade 3 or higher as defined by CTCAE v5.0

  2. All Cohorts: Fold change in interferon-producing DNAJB1-PRKACA-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells at 10 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks

    Evaluated by the fold change in interferon-producing DNAJB1-PRKACA-specific CD8 cells after vaccination at 10 weeks compare to pre-vaccination baseline.

  3. Cohort A only: Progression-free survival (PFS)

    Time frame: 6 months

    PFS at 6 months, will be estimated as the proportion of subjects who remain alive and free of disease progression at 6 months from the start of treatment. Disease progression will be determined using RECIST 1.1 criteria. The proportion of subjects achieving PFS at 6 months will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the corresponding 95% confidence interval will be reported.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Objective response rate (ORR)

    Time frame: 4 years

    ORR is defined as the number of patients achieving a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) at any time during the study. CR = disappearance of all target lesions, PR is =>30% decrease in sum of diameters of target lesions, progressive disease (PD) is >20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions, stable disease (SD) is <30% decrease or <20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions.

  2. Duration of response (DoR)

    Time frame: 4 years

    Number of weeks from the start date of PR or CR (whichever response is recorded first) and subsequently confirmed to the first date of disease progression or death is documented per RECIST 1.1. CR = disappearance of all target lesions, PR is =>30% decrease in sum of diameters of target lesions.

  3. Disease control rate (DCR)

    Time frame: 4 years

    DCR is defined as the number of patients achieving a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) and stable disease (SD) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) at any time during the study. CR = disappearance of all target lesions, PR is =>30% decrease in sum of diameters of target lesions, progressive disease (PD) is >20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions, stable disease (SD) is <30% decrease or <20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions.

  4. Progression-free survival (PFS)

    Time frame: 4 years

    PFS is defined as number of months from the date of first treatment until first documented local progression or death due to any cause. Per RECIST 1.1 criteria, CR = disappearance of all target lesions, Partial Response (PR) is =>30% decrease in sum of diameters of target lesions, Progressive Disease (PD) is >20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions, Stable Disease (SD) is <30% decrease or <20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions. Estimation based on the Kaplan-Meier curve.

  5. Overall survival (OS)

    Time frame: 4 years

    OS will be measured from date of first dose until death or end of follow-up (OS will be censored on the date the subject was last known to be alive for subjects without documentation of death at the time of analysis). Estimation based on the Kaplan-Meier curve.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Colleen Apostol, RN

CONTACT

[email protected]

410-614-3644

Marina Baretti, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

410-614-1058

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

Other

Collaborators

  • Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

A Pilot Study of a DNAJB1-PRKACA Fusion Kinase Peptide Vaccine Combined With Nivolumab and Ipilimumab for Patients With Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2034
First posted
Jan 30, 2020
Registry last updated
Dec 3, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.