Vaccine treatment for advanced colorectal and pancreatic cancer
Official title: Pooled Mutant KRAS-Targeted Long Peptide Vaccine Combined With Balstilimab and Botensilimab for Patients With Stage IV MMR-p Colorectal Cancer and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Run by Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins · NCT06411691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine combined with two other treatments to see if it can help people with advanced colorectal and pancreatic cancer who haven't responded to their first treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 54 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy, Balstilimab, Botensilimab |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 4, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 1, 2029 |
| Study ends | November 1, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | July 31, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06411691 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed stage IV colorectal or pancreatic cancer who have specific KRAS mutations and measurable disease after first-line chemotherapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have not received prior chemotherapy or those with resectable tumors may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This Phase 1b study evaluates the effectiveness and immune response of a synthetic long peptide mutant KRAS vaccine combined with Balstilimab and Botensilimab in patients with unresectable or metastatic mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Participants must have measurable disease following first-line chemotherapy and will undergo tumor biopsies for analysis. The study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of this novel combination therapy in a targeted patient population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced colorectal and pancreatic cancers that are currently difficult to treat.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar immunotherapy approaches, but this specific combination is novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years. * Have histologically or cytologically - proven cancer of the pancreas or colon. * Have tumor lesions amenable to repeated biopsy, and patient's acceptance to have a tumor biopsy of an accessible lesion at baseline and on treatment if the lesion can be biopsied with acceptable clinical risk (as judged by the investigator). * Measurable disease as per RECIST 1.1. * Have sufficient and accessible tissue for next generation sequencing (NGS) and immune-phenotyping. * Have one of the KRAS mutations included in the vaccine at the time of vaccination expressed in tumor. * Cohort A: Have received 4-6 months of FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine+nab-paclitaxel for the 1st line treatment of metastatic unresectable PDAC. * Cohort B: Have received 4-6 months of 1st line SOC chemotherapy per NCCN guidelines (FOLFIRINOX, FOLFOX, FOLFIRI +/- targeted therapy with VEGFi or EGFRi) of metastatic CRC. * Cohort C: Have received no more than 3 lines of systemic chemotherapy, including prior KRAS inhibitor. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0. * Life expectancy of greater than 3 months. * Patients must have adequate organ and marrow function defined by study-specified laboratory tests prior to initial study drug. * Woman of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test and follow contraceptive guidelines as defined per protocol. * 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: * Is a candidate for definitive surgical resection. * Known history or evidence of brain metastases and/or leptomeningeal spread. * Prior treatment with immunotherapy agents (including, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CTLA4, etc.). * Receiving active immunosuppressive agents or chronic use of systemic corticosteroids within 14 days of vaccine treatment. * Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 5 years, or a documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease, or a syndrome that requires systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents. * Known history or concurrent interstitial lung disease. * Has a pulse oximetry \< 95% on room air. * Requires the use of home oxygen. * Infection with HIV or hepatitis B or C. * 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. * Has been diagnosed with another cancer or myeloproliferative disorder in the past 5 years except for superficial bladder cancer, non-melanoma skin cancers, DCIS, a low-grade prostate cancer, or a cancer not expected to impact life expectancy and not requiring therapy. * Has had surgery within 28 days of dosing of investigational agent, excluding minor procedures (dental work, skin biopsy, etc.), celiac plexus block, and biliary stent placement. * Has received any non-oncology live vaccine therapy used for prevention of infectious diseases within 28 days of study treatment. * If at the time of signing informed consent, a regular user (including "recreational use") of any illicit drugs or other substance abuse (including alcohol) that could potentially interfere with adherence to study procedures or requirements. * Any other sound medical, psychiatric, and/or social reason as determined by the Investigator. * Unwilling or unable to follow the study schedule for any reason. * Are pregnant or breastfeeding. * Any radiological or clinical pleural effusions or ascites. * History of malignant small bowel obstruction. * On parenteral nutrition. * Known or suspected hypersensitivity to Hiltonol.
Where it's running
-
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nilofer Azad, MD — SKCCC Johns Hopkins Medical Institution
- Study coordinator: Colleen Apostol, RN
- Email: GIClinicalTrials@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-614-3644
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.