Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated GliomaPhase 1INTERCEPT-H3NCT04808245
A MultIceNTER Phase I Peptide VaCcine Trial for the Treatment of H3-Mutated Gliomas
A Phase 1 study testing Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML Injection, H3K27M peptide vaccine and Imiquimod (5%) in people with Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated Glioma, run by German Cancer Research Center at 8 sites in Germany.
Trial summary
The study "A MultIceNTER Phase I Peptide VaCcine Trial to Exploit NeoePitope-Specific T Cells for the Treatment of H3K27M-Mutated Gliomas - (INTERCEPT H3)" is a non-controlled, open-label, single arm, multicenter phase I trial involving patients with gliomas carrying an H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M mutation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated Glioma
- What is being tested?
- Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML Injection, H3K27M peptide vaccine and Imiquimod (5%)
- Type of treatment
- Vaccines, Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 15 participants
- Where
- 8 sitesGermany
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2023to Nov 2026
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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
- Patients present with histologically confirmed diagnosis of an H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M-mutated diffuse midline glioma WHO grade IV (with or without measurable residual tumor after tumor resection or biopsy after primary diagnosis)
- Tumoral H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M mutation proven by immunohistochemistry or H3 DNA sequencing
- No previous treatment except for surgery
- Estimated creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula (or local institutional standard method)
- Availability of tumor tissue for translational analyses (FFPE bulk tissue or biopsy)
- Patients are scheduled to receive radiotherapy
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- Patients should be immunocompetent (i.e. no concomitant treatment with dexamethasone (or equivalent), or receive stable/decreasing steroid levels not exceeding 2 mg/day dexamethasone (or equivalent) during the last 3 days prior to clinical screening; no severe lymphopenia)
- minimum 18 years old, smoking or non-smoking, of any ethnic origin and sex
- Karnofsky Performance Status minimum 60. For patients with spinal gliomas, paralysis-caused mobility impairments will not be considered
- Ability of patient to understand character and individual consequences of the clinical trial
- Evidence of informed consent document personally signed and dated by the patient (or a witness in case the patient is unable to write) covering all trial-related procedures and indicating that the patient has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study and that the patient consents to participate in the trial.
- Non-nursing and non-pregnant women: Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative urine pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) prior to the start of the investigational medicinal product (IMP). A woman is considered of childbearing potential, i.e. fertile, following menarche and until becoming post-menopausal unless permanently sterile. Permanent sterilization methods include hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. A postmenopausal state is defined as no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause. In case of possible postmenopausal status or doubtful childbearing potential, assessment of serum FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) level will be performed once at baseline visit to confirm postmenopausal status. In this case, urine pregnancy tests during the trial as well as contraception are not necessary. However, in the absence of 12 months of amenorrhea, a single FSH measurement is insufficient.
- WOCBP must be using a highly effective method of birth control (failure rate of less than 1% per year) to avoid pregnancy throughout the study and at least 5 months after the last dose of the IMP. Such methods include:
- combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation: oral intravaginal transdermal
- progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation: oral injectable implantable
- intrauterine device (IUD)
- intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS)
- bilateral tubal occlusion
- vasectomised partner
- sexual abstinence
- Fertile men must be willing and able to use an effective method of birth control (condom) throughout the study for up to at least 5 months after the last dose of the IMP, if their sexual partners are WOCBP, using an effective method as well (acceptable methods see above). A man is considered fertile after puberty unless permanently sterile by bilateral orchidectomy.
- Patients who are willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests, and other study procedures
Who cannot join
- Current use of immunosuppressive medication including treatment with systemic immunomodulatory agents at least 4 weeks or five half-lives of the drug, prior to starting study treatment, EXCEPT for the following: a. intranasal, inhaled, topical steroids, or local steroid injection (e.g., intra-articular injection); b. Systemic corticosteroids at physiologic doses ≤ 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent; c. Steroids as premedication for hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., CT scan premedication).
- Previous or concurrent standard or experimental treatment for the tumor other than resection. This includes local therapies such as interstitial radiotherapy or local chemotherapy (i.e. BCNU wafers), loco-regional hyperthermia, electric fields, and antiangiogenic therapy (such as Bevacizumab).
- Abnormal (≥ Grade 2 CTCAE v5.0) laboratory values for thyroid gland: free T4 and TSH
- Abnormal (≥ Grade 2 CTCAE v5.0) laboratory values for hematology, liver and renal function (serum creatinine). In detail, the following values apply as exclusion criteria:
- Hemoglobin < 9 g/dL (5.59 mmol/L)
- White blood cell count (WBC) decrease (<3.0 x 109/L) or increase (> 10.0 x 109/L)
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- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) decrease (< 1.5 x 109/L)
- Platelet count decrease (< 100 x 109/L)
- Bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN (upper limit of normal according to the performing lab´s reference range)
- ALT > 2.5 x ULN
- AST > 2.5 x ULN
- GGT > 2.5 x ULN
- Serum creatinine increase (> 1.5 x ULN)
- Patients with history or presence of HIV and/or HBV/HCV positivity (testing performed according to local standards)
- Patients with history or known presence of tuberculosis (positive QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test or tuberculin skin test). Patients with an indeterminate result of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test are not eligible unless additional testing demonstrates a negative result (tuberculin skin test or repeated QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test). If a tuberculin skin test is performed, an induration of > 6 mm is "positive" for a patient with history of BCG vaccine, while an induration of > 10 mm is "positive" for a patient without history of BCG vaccine. If necessary, a QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test might be complemented by additional specific diagnostic tests as per standard procedures.
- Patients with severe infection(s) or signs/symptoms of infection within 2 weeks prior to start of treatment including radiotherapy and IMP
- Active infection requiring systemic therapy
- Patients who have received a live, attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to start of treatment including radiotherapy and IMP
- Patients with a prior solid organ transplantation or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Active autoimmune disease including history of severe autoimmune disease that might deteriorate when receiving an immuno-stimulatory agent. Patients with diabetes type I, vitiligo, psoriasis, or hypo- or hyperthyroid diseases not requiring immunosuppressive treatment are eligible
- Clinically significant (i.e. active) cardiovascular disease: Cerebral vascular accident/stroke (< 6 months prior to enrolment), myocardial infarction (< 6 months prior to enrolment), unstable angina, congestive heart failure (≥ New York Heart Association Classification Class II), or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication
- History of other malignancies (except for adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma or carcinoma in situ) within the last 5 years unless the patient has been diseasefree for 5 years.
- Other severe acute or chronic medical conditions including colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis or psychiatric conditions including recent (within the past year) or active suicidal ideation or behavior; or laboratory abnormalities that may increase the risk associated with study participation or study treatment administration or may interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study
- History of hypersensitivity to the investigational medicinal product or to any drug with similar chemical structure or to any excipient present in the pharmaceutical form of the investigational medicinal product, including known severe hypersensitivity reactions to monoclonal antibodies (NCI CTCAE v5.0 Grade ≥ 3)
- Participation in other clinical trials or their observation period during the last 30 days before start of treatment including radiotherapy and IMP
- No patient will be allowed to enroll in this trial more than once.
Trial locations and contacts
8 sites in 1 country.
8 sites in 1 country
Germany8 sites
Department of Neurosurgery with Pediatric Neurosurgery
Berlin, State of Berlin, 10117
Clinical Neuro-Oncology Section, University Hospital Bonn (UKB)
Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, 53127
Clinic and Polyclinic for Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Dresden, Saxony, 1307
Neurooncology Department, University Hospital Essen
Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, 45147
Dr. Senckenberg Institute for Neurooncology, University Hospital Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, 60528
Department of Neurology and Polyclinic, Universitiy Clinic Heidelberg
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, 69120
University Medical Center Mannheim, Department of Neurology
Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, 68167
University Clinic Tuebingen, Neurological Clinic, Department of Neurology
Tübingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, 72076
About this study
Official title: A MultIceNTER Phase I Peptide VaCcine Trial to Exploit NeoePitope-Specific T Cells for the Treatment of H3-Mutated Gliomas - (INTERCEPT-H3)
The study "A MultIceNTER Phase I Peptide VaCcine Trial to Exploit NeoePitope-Specific T Cells for the Treatment of H3K27M-Mutated Gliomas - (INTERCEPT H3)" is a non-controlled, open-label, single arm, multicenter phase I trial involving patients with gliomas carrying an H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M mutation.
Read the detailed description
The patient population will be molecularly defined and include adult patients with newly diagnosed K27M-mutant histone-3.1 (H3.1K27M) or histone-3.3 (H3.3K27M) diffuse midline gliomas (DMG).
Within this trial, a long peptide vaccine containing a K27M-mutated histone-3 sequence, will be administered subcutaneously in addition to standard radiotherapy and thereafter in combination with the human anti-PD-L1 antibody Atezolizumab.
Fifteen patients (pts. 1-15) will receive 11 doses of H3K27M peptide vaccine in total starting with standard radiotherapy (RT) and 14 doses of the human anti-PD-L1 antibody Atezolizumab (every three weeks, q3w) starting four weeks after completion of RT. The first 3 vaccines will be given bi-weekly (q2w) in combination with RT. One dose of vaccination will be given at the beginning of recovery (RE) period following RT. Vaccines 5-11 (q6w) will be initiated with Atezolizumab after completion of RE. In a safety lead-in, the first three patients (pts. 1-3) will be enrolled sequentially.
Following the last IMP administration, a safety / immunogenicity follow-up is planned for 24 weeks until end of study (EOS). To be able to assess safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the peptide vaccine in combination with Atezolizumab 15 evaluable patients will be enrolled.
Diffuse gliomas of the thalamus, brain stem, spinal cord or other midline structures represent 3-4% of high-grade glioma and harbor H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M mutations as a characteristic founder mutation in > 70% of cases. H3K27M-mutant gliomas typically occur in children and adolescents but also in adult patients. After biopsy or resection, the standard of care consists of involved-field radiotherapy. Adding alkylating chemotherapy to radiotherapy does not offer additional benefit in retrospective case series and prospective clinical trials in children with pontine gliomas, probably as hypermethylation of the MGMT promoter in DMG is typically lacking. After radiotherapy gliomas frequently recur with a median 12-month progression-free survival of 20 %. Importantly, at recurrence particularly in the adult patient population, there is frequent distant progression and leptomeningeal dissemination, arguing for the necessity of systemic therapy upfront.
From an immunological point of view H3K27M represents an attractive tumor antigen specifically expressed in tumor but not normal cells. Patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas may harbor mutation-specific T cells, indicating that H3K27M is specifically presented to and recognized by the immune system in a mutation-specific manner. Vaccination of humanized mice with a long H3K27M vaccine results in an anti-tumor immune response effective in controlling H3K27M-expressing tumors in a preventive and a therapeutic manner without causing toxicity. In addition, eight adult patients with H3.3K27M-mutated gliomas were treated with an H3K27M 27 amino acid long peptide vaccine on a compassionate-use basis. None of the patients treated either with the peptide vaccine alone or in combination with an anti-human PD(L)-1 antibody showed any clinical or laboratory sign of treatment-related toxicity except for grade 1 injection site reactions. Importantly, all patients developed H3K27M-specific T cell responses with one patient of the combination treatment group showing long-term response with no sign of tumor progression for >24 months after vaccination and one patient experiencing complete response after pseudoprogression (unpublished observations). Based on these observations we hypothesize that checkpoint inhibition targeting PD-L1 is required for optimal amplification of a vaccine-induced H3K27M-specific T cell response.
The aim of this phase I trial is to evaluate the safety and immune response to the H3K27M peptide vaccine in combination with Atezolizumab in patients with H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas.
- Conditions
- Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated Glioma
- Being tested
- Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML Injection, H3K27M peptide vaccine, Imiquimod (5%)
- Keywords
- Diffuse midline glioma, Histone H3, H3K27M, DIPG, Glioma, Glioblastoma, Immunotherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Glioma, Glioblastoma
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML InjectionDrug
Also called Atezolizumab
One vial of Tecentriq® (1200 mg) will be administered as an intravenous (i.v.) infusion over 60 minutes every 3 weeks starting 4 weeks after radiotherapy. If the first infusion is tolerated, all subsequent infusions will be delivered over 30 minutes.
H3K27M peptide vaccineBiological
The H3K27M peptide vaccine is injected subcutaneously (s.c.). For a single vaccination 300 μg of the peptide will be emulsified in a total volume of 1 ml.
Imiquimod (5%)Other
Also called Aldara
One sachet of Aldara® cream (250 mg) will be applied to an area of 5 x 5 cm around the injection site of the H3K27M peptide vaccine 15 min after vaccination and left on the skin for approximately 8 hours according to the instructions in the SmPC. 24 hours after the vaccination a second sachet of Aldara® will be applied by the patient as instructed above and left on the skin for approximately 8 hours.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Standard patient cohort | Experimental | All fifteen patients will receive in total 11 doses of H3K27M peptide vaccine starting with standard radiotherapy (RT) and 14 doses of the human anti-PD-L1 antibody Atezolizumab/ Tecentriq® (every three weeks, q3w) starting four weeks after completion of RT. The first 3 vaccines will be given bi-weekly (q2w) in combination with RT. One dose of vaccination will be given at the beginning of recovery (RE) period following RT. Vaccines 5-11 (q6w) will be initiated with Atezolizumab after completion of RE. The H3K27M peptide vaccine is administered in combination with topical Imiquimod that serves as an adjuvant.
For safety reasons, the first three patients will be enrolled sequentially: Each patient will receive the first vaccination at the earliest 28 days after the previous patient has received the first vaccination. Receives: Drug: Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML Injection; Biological: H3K27M peptide vaccine; Other: Imiquimod (5%) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessment of safety of repeated fixed dose vaccinations with the H3K27M peptide vaccine administered with radiotherapy and Atezolizumab in patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Primary safety endpoint is the Regime Limiting Toxicity (RLT).
Safety of H3K27M peptide vaccine administered with radiotherapy and Atezolizumab. Primary safety endpoint is the Regime Limiting Toxicity (RLT).
Measured: Through study completion, an average of one year
Assessment of immunogenicity of repeated fixed dose vaccinations with the H3K27M peptide vaccine administered with radiotherapy and Atezolizumab in patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas.
Immunogenicity (Immune response Yes/No) will be assessed for all evaluable patients. The primary immunogenicity endpoint is the presence of an H3K27M-specific T-cell response. H3K27M-specific T cell responses are measured on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) using IFN-gamma ELISpot.
Measured: From Day 1 until the date of study termination (until day 540); approximately 16 times
Secondary outcomes (4)
Progression-free survival (PFS)
PFS, defined as time from the day of first diagnosis to the day of local tumor progression or the day of death of any cause (whichever occurs first), censored by the end of the observation. PFS analysis will be based on the central disease assessment (refer to section 7.5.1). Patients lacking an evaluation of tumor response (based on radiological or clinical assessment) will have their PFS time censored on the date of first diagnosis with duration of 1 day.
Measured: From day of first diagnosis until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to the date of study termination (approximately until day 540)
Overall response rate (ORR)
ORR, defined as the proportion of patients showing complete response (CR), partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) at EOS compared to the baseline value (MRI at visit 1 for ORR under trial drug). ORR analysis will be based on the central disease assessment according to the iRANO criteria.
Measured: Baseline visit to end of study (approximately until day 540)
Analyze the association between immunogenicity and the clinical outcome parameters ORR
Measured: Through study completion, an average of one year
Analyze the association between immunogenicity and the clinical outcome parameters PFS
Measured: Through study completion, an average of one year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Mar 2021
- Study start15 Feb 2023
- Primary completionNov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionNov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated GliomaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- German Cancer Research Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Charite University, Berlin, Germany, Roche Pharma AG, German Cancer Aid
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Michael Platten, Prof., Principal investigator, German Cancer Research Center Germany
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04808245
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NCT-2018-576
- Acronym
- INTERCEPT-H3
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Mar 2021
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Ochs K, Ott M, Bunse T, Sahm F, Bunse L, Deumelandt K, Sonner JK, Keil M, von Deimling A, Wick W, Platten M. K27M-mutant histone-3 as a novel target for glioma immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology. 2017 May 12;6(7):e1328340. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1328340. eCollection 2017.
PubMed 28811969Grassl N, Sahm K, Susse H, Poschke I, Bunse L, Bunse T, Boschert T, Mildenberger I, Rupp AK, Ewinger MP, Lanz LM, Denk M, Tabatabai G, Ronellenfitsch MW, Herrlinger U, Glas M, Krex D, Vajkoczy P, Wick A, Harting I, Sahm F, von Deimling A, Bendszus M, Wick W, Platten M. INTERCEPT H3: a multicenter phase I peptide vaccine trial for the treatment of H3-mutated diffuse midline gliomas. Neurol Res Pract. 2023 Oct 19;5(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s42466-023-00282-4.
PubMed 37853454
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A MultIceNTER Phase I Peptide VaCcine Trial to Exploit NeoePitope-Specific T Cells for the Treatment of H3-Mutated Gliomas - (INTERCEPT-H3)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04808245
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- INTERCEPT-H3 / NCT-2018-576
- Conditions
- Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated Glioma
- Keywords
- Diffuse midline glioma, Histone H3, H3K27M, DIPG, Glioma, Glioblastoma, Immunotherapy
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- German Cancer Research CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Charite University, Berlin, Germany, Roche Pharma AG, German Cancer Aid
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The study "A MultIceNTER Phase I Peptide VaCcine Trial to Exploit NeoePitope-Specific T Cells for the Treatment of H3K27M-Mutated Gliomas - (INTERCEPT H3)" is a non-controlled, open-label, single arm, multicenter phase I trial involving patients with gliomas carrying an H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M mutation.
Detailed description
The patient population will be molecularly defined and include adult patients with newly diagnosed K27M-mutant histone-3.1 (H3.1K27M) or histone-3.3 (H3.3K27M) diffuse midline gliomas (DMG).
Within this trial, a long peptide vaccine containing a K27M-mutated histone-3 sequence, will be administered subcutaneously in addition to standard radiotherapy and thereafter in combination with the human anti-PD-L1 antibody Atezolizumab.
Fifteen patients (pts. 1-15) will receive 11 doses of H3K27M peptide vaccine in total starting with standard radiotherapy (RT) and 14 doses of the human anti-PD-L1 antibody Atezolizumab (every three weeks, q3w) starting four weeks after completion of RT. The first 3 vaccines will be given bi-weekly (q2w) in combination with RT. One dose of vaccination will be given at the beginning of recovery (RE) period following RT. Vaccines 5-11 (q6w) will be initiated with Atezolizumab after completion of RE. In a safety lead-in, the first three patients (pts. 1-3) will be enrolled sequentially.
Following the last IMP administration, a safety / immunogenicity follow-up is planned for 24 weeks until end of study (EOS). To be able to assess safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the peptide vaccine in combination with Atezolizumab 15 evaluable patients will be enrolled.
Diffuse gliomas of the thalamus, brain stem, spinal cord or other midline structures represent 3-4% of high-grade glioma and harbor H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M mutations as a characteristic founder mutation in > 70% of cases. H3K27M-mutant gliomas typically occur in children and adolescents but also in adult patients. After biopsy or resection, the standard of care consists of involved-field radiotherapy. Adding alkylating chemotherapy to radiotherapy does not offer additional benefit in retrospective case series and prospective clinical trials in children with pontine gliomas, probably as hypermethylation of the MGMT promoter in DMG is typically lacking. After radiotherapy gliomas frequently recur with a median 12-month progression-free survival of 20 %. Importantly, at recurrence particularly in the adult patient population, there is frequent distant progression and leptomeningeal dissemination, arguing for the necessity of systemic therapy upfront.
From an immunological point of view H3K27M represents an attractive tumor antigen specifically expressed in tumor but not normal cells. Patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas may harbor mutation-specific T cells, indicating that H3K27M is specifically presented to and recognized by the immune system in a mutation-specific manner. Vaccination of humanized mice with a long H3K27M vaccine results in an anti-tumor immune response effective in controlling H3K27M-expressing tumors in a preventive and a therapeutic manner without causing toxicity. In addition, eight adult patients with H3.3K27M-mutated gliomas were treated with an H3K27M 27 amino acid long peptide vaccine on a compassionate-use basis. None of the patients treated either with the peptide vaccine alone or in combination with an anti-human PD(L)-1 antibody showed any clinical or laboratory sign of treatment-related toxicity except for grade 1 injection site reactions. Importantly, all patients developed H3K27M-specific T cell responses with one patient of the combination treatment group showing long-term response with no sign of tumor progression for >24 months after vaccination and one patient experiencing complete response after pseudoprogression (unpublished observations). Based on these observations we hypothesize that checkpoint inhibition targeting PD-L1 is required for optimal amplification of a vaccine-induced H3K27M-specific T cell response.
The aim of this phase I trial is to evaluate the safety and immune response to the H3K27M peptide vaccine in combination with Atezolizumab in patients with H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Standard patient cohort | Experimental | Drug: Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML Injection, Biological: H3K27M peptide vaccine, Other: Imiquimod (5%)All fifteen patients will receive in total 11 doses of H3K27M peptide vaccine starting with standard radiotherapy (RT) and 14 doses of the human anti-PD-L1 antibody Atezolizumab/ Tecentriq® (every three weeks, q3w) starting four weeks after completion of RT. The first 3 vaccines will be given bi-weekly (q2w) in combination with RT. One dose of vaccination will be given at the beginning of recovery (RE) period following RT. Vaccines 5-11 (q6w) will be initiated with Atezolizumab after completion of RE. The H3K27M peptide vaccine is administered in combination with topical Imiquimod that serves as an adjuvant. For safety reasons, the first three patients will be enrolled sequentially: Each patient will receive the first vaccination at the earliest 28 days after the previous patient has received the first vaccination. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (22 listed)
- Patients present with histologically confirmed diagnosis of an H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M-mutated diffuse midline glioma WHO grade IV (with or without measurable residual tumor after tumor resection or biopsy after primary diagnosis)
- Tumoral H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M mutation proven by immunohistochemistry or H3 DNA sequencing
- No previous treatment except for surgery
- Estimated creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula (or local institutional standard method)
- Availability of tumor tissue for translational analyses (FFPE bulk tissue or biopsy)
Key exclusion criteria (26 listed)
- Current use of immunosuppressive medication including treatment with systemic immunomodulatory agents at least 4 weeks or five half-lives of the drug, prior to starting study treatment, EXCEPT for the following: a. intranasal, inhaled, topical steroids, or local steroid injection (e.g., intra-articular injection); b. Systemic corticosteroids at physiologic doses ≤ 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent; c. Steroids as premedication for hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., CT scan premedication).
- Previous or concurrent standard or experimental treatment for the tumor other than resection. This includes local therapies such as interstitial radiotherapy or local chemotherapy (i.e. BCNU wafers), loco-regional hyperthermia, electric fields, and antiangiogenic therapy (such as Bevacizumab).
- Abnormal (≥ Grade 2 CTCAE v5.0) laboratory values for thyroid gland: free T4 and TSH
- Abnormal (≥ Grade 2 CTCAE v5.0) laboratory values for hematology, liver and renal function (serum creatinine). In detail, the following values apply as exclusion criteria:
- Patients with history or presence of HIV and/or HBV/HCV positivity (testing performed according to local standards)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML InjectionAlso: AtezolizumabOne vial of Tecentriq® (1200 mg) will be administered as an intravenous (i.v.) infusion over 60 minutes every 3 weeks starting 4 weeks after radiotherapy. If the first infusion is tolerated, all subsequent infusions will be delivered over 30 minutes. | Drug | Standard patient cohort |
| H3K27M peptide vaccineThe H3K27M peptide vaccine is injected subcutaneously (s.c.). For a single vaccination 300 μg of the peptide will be emulsified in a total volume of 1 ml. | Biological | Standard patient cohort |
| Imiquimod (5%)Also: AldaraOne sachet of Aldara® cream (250 mg) will be applied to an area of 5 x 5 cm around the injection site of the H3K27M peptide vaccine 15 min after vaccination and left on the skin for approximately 8 hours according to the instructions in the SmPC. 24 hours after the vaccination a second sachet of Aldara® will be applied by the patient as instructed above and left on the skin for approximately 8 hours. | Other | Standard patient cohort |
Primary outcome
Assessment of safety of repeated fixed dose vaccinations with the H3K27M peptide vaccine administered with radiotherapy and Atezolizumab in patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Primary safety endpoint is the Regime Limiting Toxicity (RLT).
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of one year
Safety of H3K27M peptide vaccine administered with radiotherapy and Atezolizumab. Primary safety endpoint is the Regime Limiting Toxicity (RLT).
Assessment of immunogenicity of repeated fixed dose vaccinations with the H3K27M peptide vaccine administered with radiotherapy and Atezolizumab in patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas.
Time frame: From Day 1 until the date of study termination (until day 540); approximately 16 times
Immunogenicity (Immune response Yes/No) will be assessed for all evaluable patients. The primary immunogenicity endpoint is the presence of an H3K27M-specific T-cell response. H3K27M-specific T cell responses are measured on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) using IFN-gamma ELISpot.
4 secondary outcomes
Progression-free survival (PFS)
Time frame: From day of first diagnosis until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to the date of study termination (approximately until day 540)
Overall response rate (ORR)
Time frame: Baseline visit to end of study (approximately until day 540)
Analyze the association between immunogenicity and the clinical outcome parameters ORR
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of one year
Analyze the association between immunogenicity and the clinical outcome parameters PFS
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of one year
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 28811969Ochs K, Ott M, Bunse T, Sahm F, Bunse L, Deumelandt K, Sonner JK, Keil M, von Deimling A, Wick W, Platten M. K27M-mutant histone-3 as a novel target for glioma immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology. 2017 May 12;6(7):e1328340. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1328340. eCollection 2017.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 37853454Grassl N, Sahm K, Susse H, Poschke I, Bunse L, Bunse T, Boschert T, Mildenberger I, Rupp AK, Ewinger MP, Lanz LM, Denk M, Tabatabai G, Ronellenfitsch MW, Herrlinger U, Glas M, Krex D, Vajkoczy P, Wick A, Harting I, Sahm F, von Deimling A, Bendszus M, Wick W, Platten M. INTERCEPT H3: a multicenter phase I peptide vaccine trial for the treatment of H3-mutated diffuse midline gliomas. Neurol Res Pract. 2023 Oct 19;5(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s42466-023-00282-4.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated Glioma
RecruitingPhase 2
Study of Olutasidenib and Temozolomide in HGG
High Grade Glioma, Astrocytoma
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Michael Platten, Prof. principal investigator
German Cancer Research Center Germany
8 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing Tecentriq 1200 MG in 20 ML Injection, H3K27M peptide vaccine and Imiquimod (5%) in people with Newly Diagnosed H3-mutated Glioma, run by German Cancer Research Center at 8 sites in Germany.
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 22 inclusion and 26 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 8 sites in Germany. 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 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Assessment of safety of repeated fixed dose vaccinations with the H3K27M peptide vaccine administered with radiotherapy and Atezolizumab in patients with H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Primary safety endpoint is the Regime Limiting Toxicity (RLT). (time frame: Through study completion, an average of one year). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT04808245, which also lists 2 linked publications.
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 15 Sep 2026.