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

NCT ID: NCT04248569

Last Updated: 2025-12-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 56 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-04-20
• Study Completion Date: 2034-03-01

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma (FLC)

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab

Cohort A: Patients with FLC cancer with no prior checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Cohort B: Patients with FLC cancer with prior checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Cohort C: Patients with non-FLC cancer (solid tumors) with prior checkpoint inhibitor treatment eligible.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine

Intervention Type: DRUG

1. 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.

2. Drug: 0.3 mg DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine + 0.5mg Poly-ICLC

Nivolumab

Intervention Type: DRUG

1. 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.

2. Drug: 3mg/kg and 480mg IV

Ipilimumab

Intervention Type: DRUG

1. 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.

2. Drug: 1mg/kg IV

R- Enrollment: DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab

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. Re-enrolling patients who come off treatment ≤ 12 months from last dose may resume therapy at the study timepoint that they stopped study therapy. Patients who came off study therapy \> 12 months of last dose (i.e. to pursue alternative therapies (for example, surgical debulking), or after completion of the 2 years of study therapy), may restart study therapy at C1D1. In both cases, if the investigator assesses a drug-related toxicity to be related to anti-CTLA4 (ie. not anti-PD(L)1) therapy, patients can be enrolled in the study with nivolumab plus FLC peptide vaccine only.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine

Intervention Type: DRUG

1. 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.

2. Drug: 0.3 mg DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine + 0.5mg Poly-ICLC

Nivolumab

Intervention Type: DRUG

1. 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.

2. Drug: 3mg/kg and 480mg IV

Ipilimumab

Intervention Type: DRUG

1. 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.

2. Drug: 1mg/kg IV

Interventions

DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine

1. 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.

2. Drug: 0.3 mg DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine + 0.5mg Poly-ICLC

Intervention Type: DRUG

Nivolumab

1. 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.

2. Drug: 3mg/kg and 480mg IV

Intervention Type: DRUG

Ipilimumab

1. 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.

2. Drug: 1mg/kg IV

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Hiltonol® (Poly-ICLC); OPDIVO; YERVOY®

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 12 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Mark Yarchoan, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Johns Hopkins Medical Institution

Locations

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Colleen Apostol, RN

Role: CONTACT

GIClinicalTrials@jhmi.edu

410-614-3644

Marina Baretti, MD

Role: CONTACT

mbarett1@jhu.edu

410-614-1058

Facility Contacts

Colleen Apostol, RN

Role: primary

GIClinicalTrials@jhmi.edu

410-614-3644

Marina Baretti, MD

Role: backup

mbarett1@jhu.edu

410-614-1058

References

Baretti M, Kirk AM, Ladle BH, Kamdar Z, Bendinelli KJ, Ho WJ, Adhikari S, Clark NA, Sundararaman B, Wang H, Kung HC, Hernandez J, Qi H, Shin SM, Hernandez A, Nakazawa M, Schattgen SA, Crawford JC, Furth M, Anders RA, Thoburn C, Zaidi N, Huff AL, Nauroth J, Jaffee E, Pogorelyy MV, Thomas PG, Yarchoan M. A therapeutic peptide vaccine for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med. 2025 Nov 24. doi: 10.1038/s41591-025-03995-y. Online ahead of print.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 41286513 (View on PubMed)

Short SS, Kastenberg ZJ, Wei G, Bondoc A, Dasgupta R, Tiao GM, Watters E, Heaton TE, Lotakis D, La Quaglia MP, Murphy AJ, Davidoff AM, Mansfield SA, Langham MR, Lautz TB, Superina RA, Ott KC, Malek MM, Morgan KM, Kim ES, Zamora A, Lascano D, Roach J, Murphy JT, Rothstein DH, Vasudevan SA, Whitlock R, Lal DR, Hallis B, Butter A, Baertschiger RM, Lapidus-Krol E, Putra J, Tracy ER, Aldrink JH, Apfeld J, Le HD, Park KY, Rich BS, Glick RD, Fialkowski EA, Utria AF, Meyers RL, Riehle KJ. Histologic type predicts disparate outcomes in pediatric hepatocellular neoplasms: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative study. Cancer. 2022 Jul 15;128(14):2786-2795. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34256. Epub 2022 May 13.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 35561331 (View on PubMed)

O'Neill AF, Church AJ, Perez-Atayde AR, Shaikh R, Marcus KJ, Vakili K. Fibrolamellar carcinoma: An entity all its own. Curr Probl Cancer. 2021 Aug;45(4):100770. doi: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2021.100770. Epub 2021 Jul 1.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 34272087 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

IRB00222681

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

J19140

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id