Intensive Locoregional Chemoimmunotherapy, Intradermal Autologous Alpha-DC1 Vaccines, and Systemic Pembrolizumab for Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer
United States28 participantsStarted 2026-08
Plain-language summary
This trial proposes to evaluate the immunologic and potential clinical effectiveness of intensive locoregional sequential intraperitoneal (IP) cisplatin (IPC) with intravenous (iv) paclitaxel followed by peritoneal infusion of a chemokine modulatory (CKM) regimen composed of a cocktail of IP rintatolimod and interferon-alpha (IFNα) for patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer (III-IV) in the primary neoadjuvant setting. It was previously determined the tolerable dose of IPC-CKM. This study will add intradermal (ID) autologous αDC1 vaccines (known to be nontoxic) to the tolerable IPC-CKM regimen and systemic Keytruda (pembrolizumab). To optimize the pattern of immunity, all patients will also receive oral celecoxib (COX2 inhibitor).
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Patients must have advanced stage (III-IV) epithelial carcinoma or carcinosarcoma of ovarian, tubal or peritoneal origin.
. Patients must be eligible for cancer-related definitive therapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
. Patients must be chemo-naive and receiving therapy in primary first-line neoadjuvant setting.
. Patients must have ECOG performance of 0-1.
. Patients must be reasonable candidate for interval debulking surgery as well as for IP platinum-based combination chemotherapy regimen, with no prior evidence of clinically significant intra-abdominal adhesions, persistent abdominal wall infections, renal disease or bowel obstruction.
. At least one lesion must be considered to be large enough for biopsy and resection to yield greater than 2 grams of tumor for tumor loading of αDC1's and immunoassays at the discretion of the treating investigator and/or surgeon.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
. Patients must have measurable disease per iRECIST criteria.
. Sexually active fertile subjects and their partners must agree to use highly effective methods of contraception prior to study entry, during the course of the study, and for the following durations after the last dose of treatment (whichever is later). An additional contraceptive method, such as a barrier method (e.g., condom), is required. In addition, men must agree not to donate sperm and women must agree not to donate eggs (ova, oocyte) for the purpose of reproduction during these same periods.
Exclusion criteria
. Patients with sarcoma.
. Patients who have an active autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), ankylosing spondylitis).
. Patients with a known allergy to cisplatin or taxane chemotherapy. Patients with carboplatin allergy may be included if they tolerate a test dose of IV cisplatin given in monitored floor conditions. Patients who are allergic to paclitaxel can be alternatively treated with abraxane.
. Patients being chronically treated with immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or systemic corticosteroids.
. Patients with a recognized immunodeficiency disease including cellular immunodeficiencies, hypogammaglobulinemia or dysgammaglobulinemia; patients who have acquired, hereditary, or congenital immunodeficiencies.
. Patients with uncontrolled diseases other than cancer will be excluded.
. Patients who have contraindications to the use of NSAID's like chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, or bleeding ulcers.
. Patients who have contraindications to the use of interferon α-2b (Bioferon), including hypersensitivity to interferon-α or any component of the product, autoimmune hepatitis, and decompensated liver disease.