Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Universal immunization to boost immunotherapy response in advanced NSCLC

Official title: Universal Immunization to Fortify Immunotherapy Efficacy and Response (UNIFIER)

Run by University of Florida · NCT07597070 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether giving the Pfizer COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in combination with frontline pembrolizumab and chemotherapy helps more patients with stage IV NSCLC respond to treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment500 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Florida
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, chemotherapy
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 2026
Main results expectedMarch 2035
Study endsMarch 2035
Registry record updatedNovember 2, 2026
Trial IDNCT07597070 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18 or older with histologically confirmed stage IV NSCLC, planned for front-line pembrolizumab and chemotherapy, ECOG 0–2, and willingness to receive the Pfizer mRNA vaccine.

Probably not a fit

Patients who cannot receive the vaccine, have intolerable vaccine-related adverse effects, or whose disease does not respond to frontline therapy may not benefit.

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

What this trial studies

In this phase 2 trial, adults with newly diagnosed stage IV NSCLC receive standard frontline pembrolizumab and chemotherapy plus the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to see if the vaccine can enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade. The approach builds on data suggesting COVID vaccines may act as a powerful adjuvant to PD-1 inhibitors and could increase antitumor immunity. Participants are monitored for safety, response, and survival outcomes, with PD-L1 and other biomarkers explored to understand potential mechanisms. The study is conducted at the University of Florida with collaboration from MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the regimen could improve tumor responses and potentially extend survival for patients with stage IV NSCLC.

How similar studies have gone: Previous data suggest that mRNA vaccines can act as adjuvants to immune checkpoint therapy, with some retrospective evidence indicating improved survival when COVID vaccines are given with ICIs.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults ≥ 18 years of age.
* Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), defined as: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and NSCLC not otherwise specified; with clinical disposition to front-line therapy, with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy
* ECOG Performance Status of 0 to 2.
* Willing to receive Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (for vaccine arms).
* Written informed consent obtained from the subject and the subject agrees to comply with all the study-related procedures.
* Subjects must not have more than one active malignancy at the time of enrollment (Subjects with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen or primary endpoint \[as determined by the treating physician or approved by the PI\] are eligible for this trial).
* Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) will be given a pregnancy test (blood or urine) prior to the start of treatment and must be using an adequate method of contraception to avoid pregnancy throughout the study and for at least 5 months after the last dose of study treatment to minimize the risk of pregnancy. Prior to study enrollment, subjects of childbearing potential must be advised of the importance of avoiding pregnancy during trial participation and the potential risk factors for an unintentional pregnancy.

Adequate contraception methods for WOCBP include:

* Barrier methods

  * Male and female condoms
  * Vaginal diaphragm
  * Cervical cap
  * Vaginal sponge
* Hormonal medication and devices

  * Birth control implant (i.e. Nexplanon)
  * Intrauterine device (IUD, made of copper or progestin)
  * Hormonal contraception
  * Birth control pills (combined (estrogen and progestogen containing))
  * Contraceptive vaginal ring (i.e. NuvaRing)
  * Patch (i.e. Xulane)
  * Progestin only pill (mini pill)
  * Depo-Provera (birth control shot or Depo)
* Abstinence
* Vasectomized male partner

WOCBP includes any subject who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone successful surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or who is not post-menopausal. Post-menopause is defined as:

* Amenorrhea that has lasted for ≥ 12 consecutive months without another cause, or
* For subjects with irregular menstrual periods who are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a documented serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level of greater than 35 mIU/mL.

  * Subjects with partners of child-bearing potential must agree to use physician-approved contraceptive methods (e.g., abstinence, condoms, vasectomy) throughout the study and should avoid conceiving children for 5 months following the last dose of study treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Dispositioned to targeted therapy (e.g., EGFR, ALK, ROS1).
* Determination by the treating physician that treatment with pembrolizumab with chemotherapy is not an appropriate intervention for the participant.
* Known hypersensitivity or allergy to any component of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), including polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate
* Administration of a vaccine containing live virus within 30 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment. Note: Most flu vaccines are killed viruses, with the exception of the intra-nasal vainer (Flu-Mist) which is an attenuated live virus and therefore prohibited for 30 days prior to first dose.
* Receipt of any other COVID-19 vaccine or investigational vaccine within 60 days prior to enrollment.
* Uncontrolled or unstable comorbid conditions (e.g., active infection, unstable cardiovascular disease, history of vaccine-related myocarditis, or uncontrolled autoimmune disease) that, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with study participation or pose additional risk.
* History of any other disease, metabolic dysfunction, clinical examination finding, or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of protocol therapy or that might affect the interpretation of the results of the study or that puts the subject at high risk for treatment complications, in the opinion of the treating physician.
* Subjects who are confirmed to be pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Prisoners or subjects who are involuntarily incarcerated, or subjects who are compulsorily detained for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical illness.

Where it's running

  • University of Florida
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Elias Sayour, MD, PhD — University of Florida

Similar studies

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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.