AzTrials
AzTrials

Hepatocellular CarcinomaPhase 2TRAVERSENCT01387555

A Phase 2b Study of Modified Vaccinia Virus to Treat Patients Advanced Liver Cancer Who Failed Sorafenib

A Phase 2 study testing JX-594 recombinant vaccina GM-CSF in people with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Cancer, run by Jennerex Biotherapeutics at 38 sites in 7 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This study is to determine whether JX-594 (Pexa-Vec) plus best supportive care is more effective in improving survival than best supportive care in patients with advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) who have failed sorafenib. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver Cancer, HCC
What is being tested?
JX-594 recombinant vaccina GM-CSF
Type of treatment
Vaccines
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
129 participants
Where
38 sitesin 7 countries
Study dates
8 Oct 2011to 1 Oct 2013
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosis of primary HCC by tissue biopsy (histological/cytological diagnosis), or clinical diagnosis
  • Previously treated with sorafenib for ≥ 14 days and has discontinued sorafenib treatment at least 14 days prior to randomization due to either intolerance or radiographic progression NOTE: Sorafenib is NOT required to be the most recent treatment received for HCC
  • ECOG performance status 0, 1 or 2
  • Child-Pugh Class A; or Child-Pugh Class B7 without clinically significant ascites
  • Hematocrit ≥30% or Hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL
  • Tumor status: Measurable viable tumor in the liver and injectable under imaging-guidance; At least one tumor in the liver that has not received prior local-regional treatment OR that has exhibited >25% growth in viable tumor size since prior local-regional treatment.

Who cannot join

  • Received sorafenib within 14 days prior to randomization
  • Received systemic anti-cancer therapy other than sorafenib within 28 days of randomization
  • Prior treatment with JX-594
  • Platelet count < 50,000 PLT/ mm3
  • Total white blood cell count < 2,000 cells/mm3
  • Prior or planned organ transplant
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Known significant immunodeficiency due to underlying illness (e.g. HIV/AIDS) and/or medication
  • Severe or unstable cardiac disease
  • Viable CNS malignancy associated with clinical symptoms
  • Pregnant or nursing an infant
  • History of inflammatory skin condition (e.g., eczema requiring previous treatment, atopic dermatitis)

Trial locations and contacts

38 sites in 7 countries.

38 sites in 7 countries

United States11 sites
  • Billings Clinic

    Billings, Montana

  • Gabrail Cancer Center

    Canton, Ohio

  • University of Chicago Medical Center

    Chicago, Illinois

  • University Hospitals Case Medical Center

    Cleveland, Ohio

  • The Methodist Hospital Department of Surgery

    Houston, Texas, 77030

  • Moores University of California San Diego Cancer Center

    La Jolla, California, 92093

  • Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Orange, California, 92868

  • Saint Joseph's Hospital

    Paterson, New Jersey

  • California Pacific Medical Center

    San Francisco, California

  • Stanford Hospital and Clinics

    Stanford, California

  • Montefiore Medical Center

    The Bronx, New York

Other trials in United States

South Korea9 sites
  • Korea University Ansan Hospital

    Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 425-707

  • Kyungpook National University Hospital

    Daegu

  • Pusan National University Hospital

    Pusan

  • Asan Medical Center

    Seoul, 138-736

  • Korea University Guro Hospital

    Seoul

  • Samsung Medical Center

    Seoul

  • Seoul National University Hospital

    Seoul

  • Severance Hospital,Yonsei University Health System

    Seoul

  • Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital

    Yangsan

Other trials in South Korea

France6 sites
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hôpital Saint André

    Bordeaux, Aquitaine, 33000

  • CHU d'Estaing

    Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, 63003

  • Hôpital de la Croix Rousse

    Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 69317

  • Hôpital Saint Antoine, CPP Ile de France V

    Paris, Île-de-France Region, 75571

  • Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg - Hôpital Civil

    Strasbourg, Alsace, 67091

  • Hôpital Purpan

    Toulouse, Midi-Pyrenees, 31059

Other trials in France

Canada4 sites
  • University of Alberta

    Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7

  • Juravinski Cancer Centre

    Hamilton, Ontario

  • Ottawa Hopsital Research Institute

    Ottawa, Ontario

  • University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia

Other trials in Canada

Germany4 sites
  • Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

    Hamburg, 20246

  • Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

    Hanover, Lower Saxony, 30625

  • Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

    Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, 55131

  • Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München

    München, Bavaria, 81675

Other trials in Germany

Taiwan3 sites
  • National Cheng-Kung University Hospital

    Tainan

  • National Taiwan University Hospital

    Taipei

  • Taipei Veterans General Hospital

    Taipei

Other trials in Taiwan

Hong Kong1 site
  • Queen Mary Hospital

    Hong Kong

Other trials in Hong Kong

About this study

Official title: A Phase 2b Randomized Trial of JX-594 (Vaccinia GM-CSF / TK-deactivated Virus) Plus Best Supportive Care Versus Best Supportive Care in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Who Have Failed Sorafenib Treatment

This study is to determine whether JX-594 (Pexa-Vec) plus best supportive care is more effective in improving survival than best supportive care in patients with advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) who have failed sorafenib.

Read the detailed description

This Phase 2b, open-label, randomized, multi-center study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JX-594 (Pexa-Vec) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have previously failed sorafenib treatment. Eligible patients are randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either the experimental therapy (JX-594 plus Best Supportive Care [BSC]) or the control therapy (BSC alone).

Patients assigned to the experimental arm receive an initial intravenous (IV) infusion of JX-594 on Day 1. This is followed by intratumoral (IT) injections of JX-594 directly into viable liver tumors under imaging guidance on Day 8, Day 22, and Weeks 6, 12, and 18. These patients will also receive BSC, but active anti-cancer treatments are strictly prohibited. In contrast, patients in the control arm receive only Best Supportive Care (e.g., hydration, nutrition, pain management) at the treating physician's discretion without any study drug injections. Experimental or active anti-cancer therapies are not permitted in the control arm.

The primary objective of this study is to compare the Overall Survival (OS) between the two treatment arms. Secondary objectives include evaluating Time-to-Tumor Progression (TTP) and objective response rate based on mRECIST criteria for HCC. The study also evaluates Time-to-Symptomatic Progression (TSP), which is defined by changes in the FACT Hepatobiliary Symptom Index (FHSI-8) questionnaire and ECOG performance status. Additionally, the study assesses changes in Quality of Life (QoL) measured by EORTC and FACT-Hep questionnaires. Finally, overall safety and tolerability are closely monitored through the incidence and severity of Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) graded according to NCI CTCAE v4.03, along with clinical laboratory evaluations.

Being tested
JX-594 recombinant vaccina GM-CSF, Best Supportive Care
Keywords
liver cancer, liver tumor, hepatocellular cancer, Jennerex, HCC, Advanced HCC, sorafenib, sorafenib failure, sorafenib intolerant, Nexavar, Nexavar failure, JX594, oncolytic virus, viral therapy, JX, Biotherapeutics, vaccinia, HEP018, traverse, biologic
Medical subject headings
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular, Liver Neoplasms, Vaccinia, Oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome type Preus

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • JX-594 recombinant vaccina GM-CSFBiological

    Patients will be randomised 2:1 to Arm A or Arm B and will receive 6 treatments on days 1, 8, 22, week 6, week 12, and week 18 plus best supportive care as needed.

  • Best Supportive CareOther

    Patients will be randomised 2:1 to Arm A or Arm B and will receive best supportive care as needed.

Study groups in NCT01387555
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
JX-594 + Best Supportive CareExperimentalPatients on Arm A will receive 1 e9 pfu (plaque forming units) total dose of JX-594 (Vaccinia GM-CSF / TK-deactivated Virus) on each of six (6) treatments over 18 weeks.
Receives: Biological: JX-594 recombinant vaccina GM-CSF
Best Supportive CareOtherPatients on the control arm (Arm B) will have best supportive care over 18 weeks.
Receives: Other: Best Supportive Care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Survival

    Determine overall survival for patients receiving JX-594 plus best supportive care (Arm A) compared with those patients receiving best supportive care (Arm B) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have failed sorafenib treatment.

    Measured: From randomization until death from any cause, assessed up to 21 months.

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Time to Tumor Progression

    Determine time-to-tumor-progression (TTP) for JX-594 + BSC compared with BSC alone based on mRECIST for HCC. Progression is defined as 2 consecutive time points with increases in the sum of the longest diameters (SLD) of viable target tumors of at least 20% for each time point.

    Measured: CT scan every six weeks until progression or death, assessed up to 21 months

  2. Mean Percent Change From Baseline in Quality of Life (FACT-Hep Score)

    Change in Quality of Life (QoL) over time based on the physical well-being and additional concerns domains of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) Questionnaire. The FACT-Hep measures health-related quality of life in patients with hepatobiliary cancer. The item scores from these specific subscales are summed to compute a combined score. The combined score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores represent a better quality of life and a better outcome.

    Measured: Baseline to Visit 8 (Week 6 ) and Visit 11 (Week 12)

  3. Overall Disease Control Rate (Tumor Response)

    The overall disease control rate is defined as the percentage of patients achieving a Complete Response (CR), Partial Response (PR), or Stable Disease (SD) based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Per mRECIST for HCC, CR is the disappearance of any intratumoral arterial enhancement in all target lesions; PR is a >=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameters (SLD) of viable target lesions; and SD is disease that does not qualify for either PR or progressive disease. Best response over all time points after Baseline was used.

    Measured: CT scan every 6 weeks until progression or death, assessed up to 21 months

  4. Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

    Safety will be assessed by the number of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs)

    Measured: Up to 28 days after the last dose of study drug, assessed up to 14 months.

  5. Time-to-symptomatic-progression

    Symptomatic progression is defined as a decrease of 4 points or more from Baseline in the FHSI-8 questionnaire (that was confirmed 3 weeks later), or a decrease in ECOG performance status to 4, or death.

    Measured: From randomization until symptomatic progression or death, assessed up to 21 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted4 Jul 2011 (estimated)
  2. Study start8 Oct 2011
  3. Primary completion1 Oct 2013
  4. Study completion1 Oct 2013

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
129 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01387555
Sponsor's protocol ID
JX594-HEP018
Acronym
TRAVERSE
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
27 Jun 2011
Last updated
8 Jul 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Moehler M, Heo J, Lee HC, Tak WY, Chao Y, Paik SW, Yim HJ, Byun KS, Baron A, Ungerechts G, Jonker D, Ruo L, Cho M, Kaubisch A, Wege H, Merle P, Ebert O, Habersetzer F, Blanc JF, Rosmorduc O, Lencioni R, Patt R, Leen AM, Foerster F, Homerin M, Stojkowitz N, Lusky M, Limacher JM, Hennequi M, Gaspar N, McFadden B, De Silva N, Shen D, Pelusio A, Kirn DH, Breitbach CJ, Burke JM. Vaccinia-based oncolytic immunotherapy Pexastimogene Devacirepvec in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after sorafenib failure: a randomized multicenter Phase IIb trial (TRAVERSE). Oncoimmunology. 2019 Jun 3;8(8):1615817. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2019.1615817. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 31413923

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing JX-594 recombinant vaccina GM-CSF in people with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Cancer, run by Jennerex Biotherapeutics at 38 sites in 7 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 38 sites in United States, South Korea, France, Canada, Germany and 2 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 8 Jul 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Survival (time frame: From randomization until death from any cause, assessed up to 21 months.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01387555, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jul 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in