New vaccine targeting a virus in pediatric brain tumors
Official title: Phase 2 trial of a novel peptide vaccine targeting CMV antigen for newly diagnosed pediatric high grade glioma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma and recurrent medulloblastoma
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10492522 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine that helps the immune system fight certain brain tumors in kids caused by a virus, aiming to keep healthy brain tissue safe while helping those with high-grade glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, and recurrent medulloblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $336,734 |
| NIH project number | 5R01FD007283-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10492522 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and young adults newly diagnosed with high-grade glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or recurrent medulloblastoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain tumors that do not express CMV antigens or those who are not newly diagnosed or recurrent may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel peptide vaccine designed to target cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens found in specific types of pediatric brain tumors, including high-grade glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, and recurrent medulloblastoma. The vaccine aims to stimulate the immune system to attack tumor cells while sparing healthy brain tissue. The study is currently in Phase 2, building on promising preliminary results that showed immune responses in a majority of participants. Patients will receive the vaccine and be monitored for safety and effectiveness through imaging and clinical assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment option that improves survival rates and quality of life for children with aggressive brain tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with similar vaccine approaches targeting viral antigens in tumors, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Landi, Daniel Bryce — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Landi, Daniel Bryce
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Peptide vaccine targeting CMV for children with high-grade glioma, DIPG, and recurrent medulloblastoma
This vaccine trains the immune system to target a viral protein (CMV pp65) that is often found in certain pediatric brain tumors to help slow or shrink the tumor.
-
PEP-CMV vaccine with nivolumab for pediatric and adult high-grade brain tumors
A phase 1/2 trial tests a CMV-targeted vaccine plus a PD-1 blocker for newly diagnosed and recurrent high-grade brain tumors in children and adults.
-
New treatment for aggressive brain tumors in children and adults
This study is testing a new treatment for kids with tough brain tumors by using a special vaccine and a medicine that helps the immune system fight the cancer better, with the hope of helping them live longer and feel better.
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Liquid biopsy for monitoring high-grade glioma using patient-specific DNA junctions
A Mayo Clinic team tests a blood test that looks for unique tumor DNA pieces in glioblastoma patients to monitor disease without frequent scans.
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Canine and human high-grade gliomas: linking dog and human tumor biology to guide better treatments
A study in dogs with high-grade glioma aims to reveal parallels to human brain tumors so that treatments looked promising in dogs might translate to people.
-
Targeted study on a pediatric brain cancer subtype with specific gene mutations
A study to understand why a rare form of high-grade brain cancer in young people develops and to find new treatment targets.
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.