Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 12 and up

DNAJB1-PRKACA vaccine plus DRP-104, nivolumab, and ipilimumab for advanced fibrolamellar liver cancer

Official title: A Phase 1b Study of a DNAJB1-PRKACA Fusion Kinase Peptide Vaccine Combined With Glutamine Antagonist DRP-104, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab for Patients With Advanced Stage Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma (FLC)

Run by Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins · NCT07430202 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A early-stage study tests whether a personalized vaccine plus two immune drugs and a glutamine-blocking agent can safely help people with advanced fibrolamellar liver cancer.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages12 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment27 (estimated)
SponsorSidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsnivolumab, ipilimumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Baltimore, Maryland)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 28, 2026
Main results expectedOctober 2030
Study endsOctober 2030
Registry record updatedOctober 30, 2026
Trial IDNCT07430202 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults and adolescents (age 12 and older) with histologically confirmed metastatic or unresectable fibrolamellar carcinoma carrying the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion.

Probably not a fit

Patients without measurable disease progression or without the fusion transcript may not experience benefit from this specific combination.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This Phase 1 trial follows patients with metastatic or unresectable fibrolamellar carcinoma who carry the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion. Participants receive a DNAJB1-PRKACA peptide vaccine together with DRP-104, nivolumab, and ipilimumab to see if the combination is safe and shows antitumor activity. The study collects radiographic responses, progression-free survival, and overall survival as secondary outcomes while evaluating tolerability. Eligibility requires measurable disease, prior immunotherapy progression, and tissue-confirmed fusion status, among other criteria. Translational research will use tissue and blood samples to explore biomarkers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the regimen could offer a new therapeutic option that may slow disease and extend survival for some patients with this rare liver cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Prior approaches targeting neoantigens and checkpoint inhibitors have shown activity in other cancers, but this exact combination in FLC is novel/experimental.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Must have histologically confirmed FLC that is metastatic or unresectable.
* Presence of DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript, assessed by RNA-sequencing, DNA-sequencing, or in situ hybridization in the archival tissue.
* Must have demonstrated radiographic progression on prior or current immunotherapy.
* Age ≥ 12 years.
* Patients \< 18 years old must have a body weight ≥ 40 kg.
* ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status of ≤2
* Patients must have adequate organ and marrow function defined by study-specified laboratory tests.
* Patients must have adequate kidney and liver function defined by study-specified laboratory tests.
* Must have measurable disease per RECIST 1.1
* Willingness to provide tissue and blood samples for mandatory translational research.
* Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test.
* For both Women and 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:

* 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.
* Must 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.
  * 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 grade 2 fatigue, rash, and endocrinopathy successfully managed hormone replacement therapy, or 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 attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly-ICLC) and/or DRP-104 and/or nivolumab and/or ipilimumab.
* History of severe hypersensitivity reaction to any monoclonal antibody.
* Has an active autoimmune disease.
* Prior allogeneic stem cell transplantation or organ transplantation.
* Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency.
* Systemic corticosteroids at immunosuppressive doses.
* Subjects with interstitial lung disease that is symptomatic or may interfere with the detection or management of suspected drug-related pulmonary toxicity.
* 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 active medical and/or psychiatric illness/social psychosocial problems that that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* 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.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS.
* Has active hepatitis B. Patients with chronic or acute HBV infection.
* Have had evidence of active or acute diverticulitis, intra-abdominal abscess, or GI obstruction which are known risk factors for bowel perforation should be evaluated for the potential need for additional treatment before coming on study.
* Unwilling or unable to follow the study schedule for any reason.
* Patient is at the time of signing informed consent a regular user (including "recreational use") of any illicit drugs or had a recent history (within the last year) of substance abuse (including alcohol).
* Evidence of clinical ascites.
* Patients with QTc prolongation \> 470 ms according to Fridericia formula.
* Patients receiving potent inducers of CYP 3A4/5 (including but not limited to apalutamide, carbamazepine, enzalutamide, mitotane, phenytoin, rifampin and St. John's Wort) who cannot safely discontinue drug at least 14 days prior to Cycle 1 Day 1.
* Have had an allergen hyposensitization therapy within 2 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment.

Where it's running

  • Johns Hopkins SKCCC
    Baltimore, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.