Active not recruitingPHASE1, PHASE2INTERVENTIONAL

Investigation of a Therapeutic Vaccine (ACIT-1) in Cancer

This study is investigating a new treatment named ACIT-1, which is a therapeutic vaccine for cancer. The main goal is to check how safe it is and how well it helps the body's natural defence system – the immune system – to recognise and attack cancer cells. The study involves patients with pancreatic cancer and several other types of cancer. Doctors will be testing four different dose levels of ACIT-1 to find the most effective and safest dose. The hope is that this vaccine can teach the immune system to fight cancer more effectively, potentially offering a new way to treat these diseases. This is a very early-stage study, meaning it's one of the first times this treatment is being tested in people.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

PHASE1, PHASE2

Sponsor

Cancer Vaccines Limited

Enrolment target

Start

25 Apr 2017

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2027

Cancer Neoplasms

What is this study about?

This study is investigating an experimental new treatment called ACIT-1, which is a type of 'therapeutic vaccine' for cancer. Unlike vaccines that prevent diseases, a therapeutic vaccine aims to treat an existing disease, in this case, cancer. The idea is to teach your body's immune system to recognise and fight cancer cells more effectively. Your immune system normally helps protect you from illnesses, and it can even destroy early cancer cells. However, when cancer develops, the immune system sometimes doesn't respond strongly enough. This vaccine hopes to 'wake up' your immune cells to better target and kill cancer cells.

The study will involve patients who have different types of cancer, with about half having pancreatic cancer. Researchers want to find out if ACIT-1 is safe and if it can help the immune system create strong anti-cancer responses. They will be testing four different doses of the vaccine to see which one works best and is safest. This is an early phase of research, which means it's among the first times this treatment is being studied in people.

Finding new ways to fight cancer is very important. This research aims to understand if stimulating your own immune system with ACIT-1 could be a helpful future treatment option for various cancers. Participating in such a study contributes valuable information that could help many other patients in the future.

Key takeaways

This study is testing a new cancer vaccine called ACIT-1.
It aims to boost your immune system to fight cancer cells.
It's an early-stage study (Phase 1/2) looking at safety and effectiveness.
Includes patients with pancreatic cancer and other cancers.
Participation involves regular clinic visits for treatment and monitoring.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to join this study if you are 18 years or older and have a confirmed cancer diagnosis. You should also generally be well enough to participate, meaning you can look after yourself for most of the day and have a life expectancy of at least three months. Your blood test results – including certain blood cell counts and how well your liver and kidneys are working – also need to be within a healthy range.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are currently taking strong medications that suppress your immune system (like certain steroids), or if you have certain active infections. You also can't have had chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or certain other treatments or vaccinations very recently (usually within the last month), unless it's standard chemotherapy for pancreatic or blood cancers.

It's also important that you haven't been part of another experimental drug study in the last month. If you are female and could become pregnant, or male and your partner could become pregnant, you would need to agree to use effective contraception during the study and for three months afterwards. Your study doctor will review all your medical information to see if this study is suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a confirmed cancer diagnosis?
Are you generally well enough to manage day-to-day activities?
Have you spoken to your doctor about your general health and recent treatments?
Are you able and willing to use effective contraception if it applies to you?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study would involve receiving the ACIT-1 vaccine at one of four different dose levels. You would need to attend regular appointments at the study clinic for check-ups and assessments. These visits would include physical exams, blood tests, and possibly other tests to monitor your health and how the vaccine is affecting your body and the cancer. The total number of visits and the duration of your involvement in the study would depend on the specific treatment plan and follow-up schedule determined by the researchers. There would also be a follow-up period after your treatment finishes to monitor your long-term health. Your doctor and GP will be informed of your participation.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you a potential benefit by giving you access to a new experimental treatment for your cancer that isn't widely available yet. It could potentially help your immune system fight your cancer more effectively. However, as with any new treatment, there are potential risks and side effects that are not yet fully known. These will be explained to you in detail by the study team. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Verified postcode
Liverpool, United Kingdom
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Bebington, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'therapeutic vaccine'?

It's a vaccine designed to treat an existing disease, like cancer, by training your immune system to fight it, rather than preventing it.

Will I know which dose of ACIT-1 I'm getting?

The study team will explain the details of which dose group you might be in, as they are testing four different dose levels to find the safest and most effective one.

What kind of cancers is this study looking at?

This study is primarily looking at pancreatic cancer, but also includes patients with a range of other different types of cancer.

Is ACIT-1 a cure for cancer?

ACIT-1 is an experimental treatment being tested in early-stage trials. The aim is to see if it can help the immune system fight cancer, but it is not known if it will be a cure.

What does 'Phase 1/Phase 2' mean for a study?

It means this is an early stage of clinical research. Phase 1 focuses on safety and finding the right dose, while Phase 2 tests if the treatment works and continues to monitor safety.