Vaccine to prevent lung cancer development or recurrence

A Phase 0 Study of CIMAvax-EGF Vaccine in Patients Who Are at High Risk for Lung Cancer and Lung Cancer Survivors at Risk for Recurrence

Early Phase 1 Interventional Roswell Park Cancer Institute · NCT04298606

This study is testing a new vaccine to see if it can help prevent lung cancer from developing or coming back in people who are at high risk.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages50 Years to 79 Years
SexAll
SponsorRoswell Park Cancer Institute Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Buffalo, New York)
Trial IDNCT04298606 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This early phase I trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of the CIMAvax-EGF vaccine in preventing lung cancer in patients at high risk for developing or recurring lung cancer. The study involves administering the vaccine to participants who have no evidence of cancer and assessing their immune response through circulating EGF and anti-EGF antibodies. Additionally, the trial aims to identify molecular markers associated with treatment response and evaluate changes in quality of life during the treatment. Participants will receive the vaccine in a loading phase followed by a maintenance phase, with follow-up for 60 days post-treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with a history of stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer who are currently cancer-free and have at least one documented risk factor for lung cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with active cancer or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria, such as having an ECOG performance status greater than 2, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer development or recurrence in high-risk patients.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies targeting EGFR in lung cancer, the specific approach of using CIMAvax-EGF as a preventive vaccine is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Confirmed no evidence of cancer on computed tomography (CT) scan within 6 months prior to starting treatment
* Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of =\< 2
* Patients must have platelets \>= 100 x 10\^9/L
* Participants of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraceptive methods (e.g., hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry

  * Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately
* Participant must understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure
* PATIENTS AT HIGH-RISK FOR LUNG CANCER COHORT ONLY (COHORT A)
* Must have documented at least one risk factor for lung cancer which includes:

  * Moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) defined as FEV1/FVC ratio \<=75%
  * Positive family history of lung cancer defined as a first degree relative
  * Low body mass index (BMI)
  * History of pneumonia within the last 5 years prior to enrollment
  * Occupational exposure such as asbestos, radon and any other that investigator would deem high risk
* Must have quit smoking =\< 15 years ago or be a current smoker
* Must have at least 30 pack year smoking history
* Must have documented pulmonary function test within the last 3 years prior to enrollment. If a patient cannot tolerate a pulmonary function test, an incentive spirometry will be acceptable in place of a pulmonary function test
* LUNG CANCER SURVIVOR COHORT ONLY (COHORT B)
* 1. If patient received surgery or any adjuvant therapy for initial diagnosis of lung cancer, it must have been completed at least 3 months prior to enrollment. Prior surgery or any therapy is not required for eligibility
* Confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stage IA through 3A at initial diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinically inappropriate to have a bronchoscopy procedure
* Known uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, history of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
* Pregnant or nursing female participants
* Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements
* Any condition which in the investigator's opinion deems the participant an unsuitable candidate to receive study drug
* Received an investigational agent within 30 days prior to enrollment
* Has known immunosuppressive disease (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus \[HIV\], acquired immunodeficiency syndrome \[AIDS\] or other immune depressing disease). Testing is not mandatory
* Patient has known hypersensitivity to the components of the study drugs or any analogs
* History of autoimmune disorder, with exception of patients with vitiligo or endocrine-related autoimmune conditions receiving appropriate hormonal supplementation who are eligible. Systemic use of immunosuppressant drugs such as steroids (except as hormone replacement therapy or short-course supportive medication such as chemotherapy or drug allergy, etc.), azathioprine, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, etc. within 4 weeks before recruitment
* The following special populations are excluded from this study:

  * Cognitively impaired adults/adults with impaired decision-making capacity
  * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
  * Prisoners
  * Pregnant women

Where this trial is running

Buffalo, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseLung Non-Small Cell CarcinomaPneumoniaStage IB Lung Cancer AJCC v8Stage II Lung Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIA Lung Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIB Lung Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIIA Lung Cancer AJCC v8
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 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.