NCT07658196 TLR9 Immunotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
| NCT ID | NCT07658196 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | Phase 1 |
| Sponsor | Brown University |
| Condition | Malignant Ascites |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 24 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-08-25 |
| Primary Completion | 2028-07 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.
This trial targets 24 participants in total. It began in 2026-08-25 with a primary completion date of 2028-07.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the safety and efficacy of of ACM-CpG for inoperable peritoneal metastases or malignant ascites. The main questions it aims to answer are: • To determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or optimal biologic dose (OBD) of intraperitoneal injection(s) of ACM-CpG for inoperable peritoneal metastases or malignant ascites? Researchers will assign treatment levels using escalating doses of ACM-CpG Therapy. Participants will: * Will receive at least one dose of ACM-CpG therapy on Day 1 of a 28-day treatment cycle. * May receive up to 2 additional injections if they have clinically stable or responsive disease. * Must visit the clinic on Days 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 for checkups and tests. * Will have a CT scan or MRI performed every 8 weeks for 3 scans and then continue to receive scans every 12 weeks to monitor their disease.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients eligible for inclusion in this study must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Male or female patients age ≥ 18 years of age at the time of informed consent 2. Must be able to provide written informed consent, stating an understanding of the procedures and investigational nature of the study treatment, and willingness to comply with study requirements 3. Must have documented CRC or appendiceal adenocarcinoma peritoneal carcinomatosis or malignant ascites. Primary tumor may be intact and limited liver and/or lung disease is permitted 4. Must have evaluable disease by physical examination, serum tumor markers, radiologic assessment, or laparoscopic visual assessment 5. Must have a life expectancy of ≥ 12 weeks as estimated by the investigator 6. Must have an ECOG status of ≤ 2 7. Patients with acceptable laboratory values defined as: * Estimated creatinine clearance (calculated using Cockcroft-Gault formula, or measured) ≥ 60 mL/min, not dialysis dependent * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dl, unless elevated bilirubin is clearly related to Gilbert syndrome (and total bilirubin \< 6.0 mg/dl) * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3.5 x ULN * Absolute neutrophil count \> 1.0 x 109/L (must be independent of blood product administration) * Platelet count \> 100 x 109/L (must be independent of blood product administration) * Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL (must be independent of blood product administration) 8. Surgically sterile patients or patients of childbearing potential (CBP) who agree to use highly effective methods of contraception during study dosing and for 6 months after last dose of study drug 9. All other relevant medical conditions must be well-managed and stable, in the opinion of the investigator, for at least 28 days prior to administration of study drug Exclusion Criteria: 1. Has received prior TLR9 therapy 2. Has received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or biological cancer therapy within 21 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is shorter) of the start of treatment 3. Has received an investigational agent within 28 days of the start of treatment 4. Has received a commercial vaccine (flu, COVID, etc.) within 2 weeks of C1D1 5. Has any unresolved toxicity ≥ Grade 2 from previous anti-cancer therapy, except for stable chronic toxicities (≤ Grade 3) that are not expected to resolve 6. Has a history of histologically confirmed metastases outside of the peritoneal cavity, liver, or lungs 7. Has high volume liver or lung metastases, defined as \> 50% replacement of the liver volume by metastatic disease or \> 5 lung lesions greater than 1 cm in size 8. Tumor causing biliary obstruction not amenable to stenting or percutaneous drainage 9. Ongoing or untreated intra-abdominal infection or bowel obstruction 10. Has known, clinically active Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Note: Testing is not required) 11. Receiving continuous systemic corticosteroid therapy (≥ 10 mg/day of prednisolone or equivalent) 12. Clinically significant cardiac disease or impaired cardiac function, including any of the following: * A history of newly diagnosed transmural myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, or pulmonary embolism within 6 months, except those approved by the medical monitor * A history of newly diagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within 3 months * Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 50% * QTc \>480 msec 13. Active bacterial, viral, or fungal infection: patients with ongoing use of prophylactic antibiotics, antiviral agents, or antifungal agents remain eligible as long as there is no evidence of active infection 14. Other active malignancy within 2 years excluding cutaneous squamous or basal cell carcinomas 15. Any medical condition that would, in the investigator's judgment, prevent the patient's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns, compliance with clinical study procedures or interpretation of study results 16. History of hypersensitivity to TLR9 agonists 17. Pregnant, likely to become pregnant, or lactating women (where pregnancy is defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation)
Contact & Investigator
Khaldoun Almhanna, MD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Brown University Health
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07658196 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Malignant Ascites. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
What phase is the NCT07658196 trial and what does that mean for participants?
Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.
Is NCT07658196 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07658196 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at roxanne_wood@brown.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07658196 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Providence, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07658196 clinical trial?
NCT07658196 is sponsored by Brown University. The principal investigator is Khaldoun Almhanna, MD at Brown University Health. The trial plans to enroll 24 participants.