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A promising new pediatric brain tumor trial that will test personalized mRNA cancer vaccines is opening across multiple sites in Australia. The PaedNEO-VAX trial, funded by Providence Therapeutics alongside the Australian government and philanthropic partners, will enroll children and adolescents with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma, diffuse midline glioma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma.
Using tumor genome sequencing, each child’s cancer will be analyzed to identify individualized targets, followed by manufacture of a custom mRNA vaccine using Providence’s platform, with an anticipated turnaround of about 10 weeks from enrollment to dosing. Phase I will assess safety and dosing, and Phase II will evaluate progression, survival, and quality of life outcomes. The trial builds on Providence’s prior compassionate-use experience, including treatment of the company founder’s son with a personalized mRNA vaccine.
Providence has expressed interest in working with partners in the United States and Canada, including patient advocacy organizations, to explore launching a similar North American trial.