A Pilot Study to Assess the Safety and Immunogenicity of a Neoantigen-based Personalized DNA Vaccine With Retifanlimab PD-1 Blockade Therapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed, Unmethylated Glioblastoma
This is a single institution, open-label, multi-arm, phase I study assessing the safety and immunogenicity of a personalized neoantigen-based personalized DNA vaccine combined with PD-1 blockade therapy in subjects with newly diagnosed, MGMT promoter unmethylated glioblastoma (GBM). Immune checkpoint blockade, specifically those targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways, has shown efficacy in multiple solid and hematologic malignancies. Furthermore, as has been demonstrated in metastatic melanoma, combining PD-1/PD-L1 blockade with other immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown improved objective response rates, though there is a significant increase in serious immune-related adverse events. As such, current trials are exploring different doses, administration schedules, and immune checkpoint agents. One alternative approach, however, is to introduce a tumor-directed therapy such as a personalized neoantigen vaccine combined with these immune modulating agents (i.e. immune checkpoint blocking antibodies) to maximize the tumor-specific response but minimize the toxicity associated with increasing non-specific systemic immune activation by generating a potent and focused neoantigen specific immune response. This study will test the hypothesis that a personalized neoantigen DNA vaccine in combination with concurrent administration of immune checkpoint blockade therapy will enhance the magnitude and breadth of neoantigen-specific T cell responses while maintaining an acceptable safety profile. The overall goal of this study is to identify the optimal vaccine plus adjuvant platform that can be tested in a subsequent phase II study to determine the efficacy of a personalized neoantigen vaccine approach in patients with GBM.
• Newly diagnosed histologically or molecularly consistent with WHO grade IV high grade glioma, IDH wildtype.
• Patients who had prior craniotomy with biopsy, subtotal resection, total gross resection, or re-resection will be permitted.
• Consent to genome sequencing and dbGaP-based data sharing and has provided or will provide germline (PBMC) and tumor DNA/RNA samples of adequate quality for sequencing. (Acquisition of specimens for sequencing and the sequencing itself may be done as part of routine care or another research project.)
• At least 18 years of age.
• Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document (or that of legally authorized representative, if applicable).
• Confirmed MGMT promoter unmethylated glioblastoma multiforme. Patients with secondary glioblastoma, in particular those who are IDH1 or IDH2 mutant, will not be excluded. High grade gliomas with molecular features of glioblastoma will be included. MGMT promoter methylation status must be determined by a standard PCR-based assay.
∙ Note: While tissue sequencing can begin prior to confirmation of MGMT promotor status, the manufacturing process will not begin until MGMT promotor is confirmed as unmethylated.
• Personalized neoantigen DNA vaccine manufactured for administration.
• Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60%
• Normal bone marrow and organ function as defined below:
‣ Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mcL
⁃ Platelets ≥ 100,000/mcL
⁃ Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x IULN
⁃ AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 2.5 x IULN
⁃ Creatinine ≤ IULN OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for patients with creatinine levels above institutional normal
• Systemic corticosteroid therapy is permitted provided dosing is no greater than 2 mg per day (dexamethasone or equivalent) on the day of vaccine administration. Participants using topical, ocular, intra-articular, or intranasal/inhaled steroids may participate. Brief courses of corticosteroids for prophylaxis (eg, contrast dye allergy) or study treatment-related standard premedication are permitted.
• Bevacizumab will be allowed if given for symptomatic control of vasogenic edema and to avoid corticosteroid use.
• Women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control, abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation, including at least 5 months (for women of childbearing potential) and at least 7 months (for men) after last dose of study drug. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she must inform her treating physician immediately.
• Patients who require additional surgery prior to vaccination (craniotomy with biopsy, subtotal resection, total gross resection, or laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) laser ablation) will not be considered ineligible.