NCT05950139 · Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
Peptide Vaccine To Prevent Acquired Resistance In Patients With Advanced ALK+ NSCLC
(ARCHER)
What this study is about
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of a cancer peptide vaccine to prevent or delay acquired resistance in advanced ALK+ lung cancer patients currently on ALK targeted therapy.
View original scientific description
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of a cancer peptide vaccine to prevent or delay acquired resistance in advanced ALK+ lung cancer patients currently on ALK targeted therapy.
Interventions
BIOLOGICAL
Peptide vaccine
Peptide vaccine
Primary outcome measures
Incidence of treatment-related adverse events
Time frame: Up to 2 years
The safety of administering the ALK peptide vaccine will be assessed by the occurrence of the following adverse events: * Grade 3 or above drug-related toxicities * Drug-related toxicity by grade * Vaccine site reactions after vaccine injections * Immune-related adverse events (AEs) * Unacceptable toxicities * Treatment-emergent changes from normal to abnormal values in key laboratory parameters
Vaccine-specific immune response
Time frame: Up to 2 years
Vaccine-specific response will be evaluated by the fold change in interferon-producing mutant-ALK-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells in the peripheral blood.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of stage IV NSCLC (or recurrent NSCLC not a candidate for definitive multimodality therapy)
- Documented ALK rearrangement as detected by: (1) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), (2) immuno-histochemistry (IHC), (3) tissue next-generation sequencing (NGS), or (4) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) NGS
- Ongoing treatment with crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, or lorlatinib with at least stable disease ≥ 4 months
- No known presence of the specific ALK acquired resistance alterations targeted by the study vaccine
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1
- Males or females at least 18 years old
Exclusion criteria
- Known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years. Adequately resected non-melanoma skin cancer, curatively treated in-situ disease, and other solid tumors treated with potentially curative therapy are allowed.
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy within 14 days of first dose of study vaccine or concurrent with study vaccine
- Anti-neoplastic immunotherapy within 28 days of first dose of study vaccine or concurrent with study vaccine
- Systemic immune suppression:
- Use of chronic oral or systemic steroid medication (topical or inhalational steroids are permitted)
- Other clinically relevant systemic immune suppression
- Symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastasis. Asymptomatic CNS disease requiring increasing dose of corticosteroids within 7 days prior to study enrollment is also not permitted
- Current spinal cord compression (symptomatic or asymptomatic and detected by radiographic imaging). Patients with leptomeningeal disease and without cord compression are allowed
Where
- Baltimore, Maryland
Collaborators
Oncovir, Inc.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 23, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations