Clinical Trials /

A Personalized Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine in Treatment Naïve, Asymptomatic Patients With IGHV Unmutated CLL.

NCT03219450

Description:

This research study is studying a novel type of CLL vaccine as a possible treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) The names of the study interventions involved in this study are: - Personalized NeoAntigen Vaccine - Poly-ICLC - Cyclophosphamide - Pembrolizumab

Related Conditions:
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Recruiting Status:

Not yet recruiting

Phase:

Phase 1

Trial Eligibility

Document

Title

  • Brief Title: A Personalized Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine in Treatment Naïve, Asymptomatic Patients With IGHV Unmutated CLL.
  • Official Title: A Pilot Study of a Personalized Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine With and Without Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide or Pembrolizumab in Treatment Naïve, Asymptomatic Patients With IGHV Unmutated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Clinical Trial IDs

  • ORG STUDY ID: 17-105
  • NCT ID: NCT03219450

Conditions

  • Lymphocytic Leukemia

Interventions

DrugSynonymsArms
NeoVaxNeoVax
CyclophosphamideCytoxanNeovax + Low-dose cyclophosphamide
PembrolizumabKeytrudaNeovax + Low-dose cyclophosphamide + Pembrolizumab

Purpose

This research study is studying a novel type of CLL vaccine as a possible treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) The names of the study interventions involved in this study are: - Personalized NeoAntigen Vaccine - Poly-ICLC - Cyclophosphamide - Pembrolizumab

Detailed Description

      This research study evaluates the feasibility and tolerability of an investigational
      intervention and also tries to define the appropriate dose of the investigational
      intervention to use for further studies. "Investigational" means that the intervention is
      being studied and that research doctors are trying to find more about it. It also means that
      the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has not approved the Personalized Neoantigen Cancer
      Vaccine for any use in patients, including people with CLL.

      This is the first time NeoVax vaccine will be given in combination with cyclophosphamide and
      Pembrolizumab in humans.

      The purpose of this study is to determine if it is possible to make and safely administer a
      vaccine against CLL. The investigators plan to analyze the specific genetic characteristics
      (mutations) of the participant's own CLL and use that information to produce proteins that
      may help the immune system recognize and fight CLL cells.

      This vaccine is also being tested in clinical trials in patients with advanced melanoma (a
      type of skin cancer) or glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer). The current study will examine
      the ability of the vaccine to stimulate the immune system when given at several different
      timepoints, and will examine the participant blood cells for signs that the CLL has changed
      or decreased.

      CLL cells will be obtained from bone marrow biopsy and blood draws. The genetic material
      contained in the CLL cells will be examined for the presence of tumor-specific mutations.
      This information will be used to prepare small protein fragments, which are called
      "peptides." The vaccine will consist of up to 20 of these peptides as well as a drug called
      Poly-ICLC. A peptide from the tetanus vaccine may also be included to boost the immune
      response. A third of the patients enrolled in this trial will receive the personalized
      neoantigen vaccine. Another third of the patients will also receive low doses of a
      chemotherapy drug called cyclophosphamide in combination of personalized neoantigen vaccine.
      The last third of patients enrolled in this study will receive the personalized neoantigen
      vaccine in combination with low dose cyclophosphamide and a drug called Pembrolizumab.

      Poly-ICLC (also called Hiltonol) is an experimental "viral mimic" and an activator of
      immunity. Poly-ICLC binds proteins on the surface of certain immune cells to make it appear
      as if a virus is present. When the cells detect the vaccine, they think it is a virus and
      turn on the immune system. Poly-ICLC will be mixed with NeoAntigen peptides and administered
      as an injection given underneath the skin. Poly-ICLC is an investigational drug, meaning the
      FDA has not approved it as a treatment for any disease.

      Cyclophosphamide (also called Cytoxan) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat many cancers,
      including CLL. At the much lower dose used in this study, it is an investigational drug to
      help the immune cells to be better at attacking cancer cells.

      Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat other types of cancer and information
      from these studies suggests that it may be beneficial in CLL.
    

Trial Arms

NameTypeDescriptionInterventions
NeoVaxExperimentalNeoVax will be administered in a priming and booster phase. The priming shots will comprise days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22. Booster shots will be given on days 78 and 134.
  • NeoVax
Neovax + Low-dose cyclophosphamideExperimentalNeoVax will be administered in a priming and booster phase. The priming shots will comprise days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22. Booster shots will be given on days 78 and 134. Low dose cyclophosphamide is administered twice daily on weeks -2, 1, 3, 5
  • NeoVax
  • Cyclophosphamide
Neovax + Low-dose cyclophosphamide + PembrolizumabExperimentalNeoVax will be administered in a priming and booster phase. The priming shots will comprise days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22. Booster shots will be given on days 78 and 134. Low dose cyclophosphamide is administered twice daily on weeks -2, 1, 3, 5 Pembrolizumab will be administered starting on Week 12 Day 78 and for up to 2 years
  • NeoVax
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Pembrolizumab

Eligibility Criteria

        Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Diagnosis of CLL as per IW-CLL 2018 criteria

          -  Patient's CLL must have an unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) region
             gene, defined as < 2% mutated compared to germline.

          -  Patient must have had no history of CLL-directed therapy due to meeting IW-CLL 2018
             criteria; no present indication for treatment by iwCLL 2018 criteria; and in the
             opinion of the treating investigator be anticipated not to require CLL-directed
             treatment within the next 6 months.

          -  Patient must have measurable disease (absolute lymphocyte count > 10K/uL or total
             white blood cell count ≥ 20K/uL of peripheral blood).

          -  Patient must have had at least two other absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) measured
             since diagnosis of CLL that are at least 2 weeks apart and at least 2 months prior to
             the one used for initial registration.

          -  Age ≥ 18 years.

          -  ECOG performance status 0 or 1

          -  Participants must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:

               -  total bilirubin within normal institutional limits

               -  AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal

               -  absolute neutrophil count ≥1000 cells/μL

          -  The effects of NeoVax and poly-ICLC on the developing human fetus are unknown. For
             this reason, women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative pregnancy
             test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent of HCG) before entry onto the trial
             and within 7 days prior to start of study medication. It is the investigators'
             responsibility to repeat the pregnancy test should start of treatment be delayed.

          -  Female patients enrolled in the study, who are not free from menses for >2 years, post
             hysterectomy / oophorectomy, or surgically sterilized, must be willing to use either 2
             adequate barrier methods or a barrier method plus a hormonal method of contraception
             to prevent pregnancy or to abstain from sexual activity throughout the study, starting
             with visit 1 through 4 weeks after the last dose of study therapy. Approved
             contraceptive methods include for example; intra uterine device, diaphragm with
             spermicide, cervical cap with spermicide, male condoms, or female condom with
             spermicide. Spermicides alone are not an acceptable method of contraception.

          -  Patient is agreeable to allow tumor (from peripheral blood) and normal tissue (from
             saliva) samples to be submitted for complete exome and transcriptome sequencing.

          -  Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

          -  At least 7 immunizing peptides can be designed.

          -  Continue to meet inclusion and exclusion criteria for Screening Registration.

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Prior therapy for CLL that met IW-CLL treatment criteria, including chemotherapy,
             targeted therapies (e.g. that antagonize B cell receptor signaling), or immunotherapy
             (including but not limited to monoclonal antibodies); or radiotherapy or hormonal
             therapy within the last 2 years of screening registration.

          -  Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents.

          -  Previous bone marrow or stem cell transplant

          -  Concomitant therapy with immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents; chronic use of
             systemic corticosteroids. Previous history of corticosteroid use is acceptable. Use of
             corticosteroids after initial registration is acceptable if tapered at least one week
             before NeoVax administration.

          -  Use of a non-oncology vaccine therapy for prevention of infectious diseases within 2
             weeks of any NeoVax administration.

          -  History of severe allergic reactions attributed to any vaccine therapy for the
             prevention of infectious diseases.

          -  Participants who have never received the tetanus vaccine.

          -  Active, known, or suspected autoimmune disease or immunosuppressive conditions with
             the exception of vitiligo, type 1 diabetes, residual autoimmune-related hypothyroidism
             requiring hormone replacement, or psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment.

          -  Uncontrolled autoimmune cytopenia.

          -  No lymph node > 5 cm by CT scan (measured as long axis).

          -  Del(17p) by fluorescence in situ hybridization in ≥ 10% of CLL cells analyzed

          -  Any documented transformation of CLL (i.e. Richter's Syndrome).

          -  Lymphocyte doubling time (LDT) < 6 months in patients with WBC > 30,000/uL. Factors
             contributing to lymphocytosis other than CLL (e.g. infections) should be excluded when
             calculating the LDT1.

          -  Serum immunoglobulin level <400 mg/dL or currently requiring chronic intravenous
             immunoglobulin G (IVIG)

          -  Known chronic infections with HIV, hepatitis B or C (see Study Calendar in Section 10
             for screening assays).

          -  Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD1, anti PD-L1, or anti PD-L2 agent.

          -  Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active
             infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac
             arrhythmia.

          -  Any underlying medical condition, psychiatric condition or social situation that in
             the opinion of the investigator would compromise study administration as per protocol
             or compromise the assessment of AEs.

          -  Pregnant women are excluded from this study because personalized neoantigen peptides
             and poly-ICLC are agents with unknown risks to the developing fetus. Because there is
             an unknown but potential risk of adverse events in nursing infants secondary to
             treatment of the mother with personalized neoantigen peptides and poly-ICLC, nursing
             women are excluded from this study.

          -  Individuals with history of an invasive malignancy are ineligible except for the
             following circumstances: a) individuals with a history of invasive malignancy are
             eligible if they have been disease -free for at least 3 years and are deemed by the
             investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy; b) individuals with
             the following cancers are eligible if diagnosed and treated: carcinoma in situ of the
             breast, oral cavity or cervix and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin;
             c) individuals with prostate cancer managed with active surveillance that is not
             expected to limit their survival to <10 years.

          -  Participants with known CNS involvement should be excluded from this clinical trial
             because of their poor prognosis and because they often develop progressive neurologic
             dysfunction that would confound the evaluation of neurologic and other adverse events.

          -  History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic
             composition to poly-ICLC.

          -  HIV-positive participants on combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because
             assessment of immunologic endpoints may be confounded by HIV-induced alterations in
             patient immune status and function. Appropriate studies will be undertaken in
             participants receiving combination antiretroviral therapy when indicated
      
Maximum Eligible Age:N/A
Minimum Eligible Age:18 Years
Eligible Gender:All
Healthy Volunteers:No

Primary Outcome Measures

Measure:Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v5.0
Time Frame:2 years
Safety Issue:
Description:To evaluate the feasibility of administering NeoVax + T helper peptide, NeoVax + T helper peptide + LD-CTX, or NeoVax + T helper peptide + pembrolizumab based on its safety, tolerability and practicability in patients with treatment naive, IGHV-unmutated CLL on observation who are not anticipated by the treating physician to require treatment for at least 6 months

Details

Phase:Phase 1
Primary Purpose:Interventional
Overall Status:Not yet recruiting
Lead Sponsor:Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Trial Keywords

  • Leukemia
  • Lymphocytic Leukemia

Last Updated

August 26, 2021