Combining a new vaccine with pembrolizumab for treating recurrent ovarian cancer
Official title: A phase I/II study of combined therapy with Th17-inducing dendritic cells and pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-10876253 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help women with recurrent ovarian cancer by using a vaccine to boost their immune system, followed by a medication called pembrolizumab to keep that immune response strong, with the hope of improving their treatment results.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $607,154 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276313-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876253 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who have previously undergone treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer or those who have not been diagnosed with ovarian cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment approach for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer by combining a vaccine that induces Th17 immune responses with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor. The study aims to enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells, potentially improving treatment outcomes. Patients will receive the vaccine to stimulate their immune system, followed by pembrolizumab to help maintain that immune response. The research will assess how well this combination works and its safety in patients who have not responded well to previous treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options and outcomes for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with vaccines, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knutson, Keith L. — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Knutson, Keith L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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TAG72 CAR-T therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
A targeted CAR-T cell therapy delivered into the abdomen for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer to attack cancer cells expressing TAG72.
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Liquid biopsy clues: plasma bacteria as early warning for epithelial ovarian cancer
A patient-friendly look at a new approach that uses tiny bacteria signals in blood to help detect ovarian cancer early.
-
Understanding how cancer cells talk to the immune system and how to use that to treat ovarian cancer
This grant studies how aging-like changes in ovarian cancer cells drive harmful signals and tests new ways to block those signals to improve treatment.
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Targeting the immune system to help treat recurrent ovarian cancer
Aims to test a new approach that blocks a part of the immune system (complement) to boost anticancer immunity in people with recurrent ovarian cancer and fluid buildup.
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Th17-inducing vaccine plus pembrolizumab for recurrent ovarian cancer
A phase I/II study tests a vaccine that activates Th17 immune cells together with pembrolizumab to help fight recurrent ovarian cancer.
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CAR T-cell therapy targeting TAG72 for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
This trial tries a CAR T‑cell treatment that targets the TAG72 protein for people with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, given directly into the abdomen.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.