Key UCLA Cancer Vaccine TrialsTrial Name/Phase
Cancer Type
Vaccine Description
Status & Key Findings
Principal Investigators
Source
Neoantigen-Targeted ppDC Vaccine (Phase 1)
clinicaltrials.ucbraid.org
H3 G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric glioma (aggressive brain tumor in adolescents/young adults)
Personalized DC vaccine loaded with neoantigens from tumor-specific H3 G34 mutations; uses patient's own dendritic cells primed to attack altered RNA regulation in cancer cells. Starts with patients >18 years, expanding to ages 5+.
Launched August 2024; first-in-human trial funded by U.S. Department of Defense. Early preclinical data shows potential to adapt to tumor escape pathways; aims to assess safety, immune response, and survival. No major adverse events reported yet.
Anthony Wang (Pediatric Brain Tumor Program Director); collaborators Linda Liau (Neurosurgery Chair) and Robert Prins (Molecular Pharmacology).
UCLA Health press release
stemcell.ucla.edu +2
ELI-002 2P (AMPLIFY-201 Phase 1 follow-up)
uclahealth.org
KRAS-mutant pancreatic and colorectal cancer (post-surgical, high-risk for recurrence)
"Off-the-shelf" amphiphile vaccine targeting common KRAS mutations; injected into lymph nodes to stimulate T-cell response without personalization.
Final results August 2025: In 25 patients, 21 (84%) showed strong immune responses; those responders remained disease-free >20 months (vs. expected 6-12 months). Reduced relapse; well-tolerated with mild side effects. Phase 2 planning underway.
Zev Wainberg (GI Oncology Professor).
UCLA Health study in Nature Medicine
uclahealth.org +2
; X posts
ATL-DC Vaccine + Pembrolizumab (Phase 1)
ucla.clinicaltrials.researcherprofiles.org +1
Recurrent, surgically accessible glioblastoma (brain cancer)
Autologous tumor lysate-pulsed DC vaccine (ATL-DC, equivalent to DCVax-L) combined with pembrolizumab (checkpoint inhibitor); uses patient's tumor cells to load DCs for immune activation.
Ongoing; recruiting. Recent updates confirm strong T-cell responses in responders.
Linda Liau and Leia Nghiemphu (UCLA Neurosurgery).
ClinicalTrials.gov; UCLA Brain Tumor Conference
CCL21-Gene Modified DC Vaccine + Pembrolizumab (Phase 1)
ucla.clinicaltrials.researcherprofiles.org +1
Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer
Engineered DC vaccine modified with adenovirus CCL21 gene to attract T-cells, combined with pembrolizumab.
Recruiting; focuses on dose/safety. Early data suggests enhanced immune infiltration into tumors.
UCLA Jonsson Center team.
ClinicalTrials.gov
BNT116 mRNA Vaccine + Cemiplimab (Phase 2)
ucla.clinicaltrials.researcherprofiles.org
Advanced non-small cell lung cancer
mRNA-based vaccine targeting tumor antigens, combined with cemiplimab (PD-1 inhibitor). Compares combo vs. cemiplimab alone.
Recruiting; evaluates safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy. Preliminary: Measures blood levels and antibody responses.