Peptide vaccine targeting CMV for children with high-grade glioma, DIPG, and recurrent medulloblastoma
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-11177623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $358,401 |
| NIH project number | 5R01FD007283-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and young adults with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma or DIPG, or with recurrent medulloblastoma who meet the trial's medical criteria and can travel for vaccinations and follow-up are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not express the CMV pp65 protein, who are medically unstable, or who have immune conditions that prevent vaccination may not benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
You would receive a series of peptide vaccine injections called PEP-CMV designed to teach your immune system to recognize the CMV pp65 protein found in many high-grade gliomas, DIPG, and recurrent medulloblastomas. The trial enrolls children and young adults with newly diagnosed HGG or DIPG or with recurrent medulloblastoma and follows them over time with blood tests and MRI scans. The team previously gave this vaccine in a Phase I group and saw immune responses in most patients and some cases of stable disease or partial tumor shrinkage without severe toxicities. Study doctors will closely monitor safety, immune response markers, and tumor imaging during and after the vaccine series.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could help the immune system slow tumor growth or shrink tumors, potentially prolonging survival and reducing reliance on more toxic treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Early Phase I results showed immune responses in about 75% of participants and some disease stabilization or partial responses, so the approach is promising but still experimental.
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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New vaccine targeting a virus in pediatric brain tumors
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.
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PEP-CMV vaccine with nivolumab for pediatric and adult high-grade brain tumors
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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.