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Intratumoral Injection of mRNA-2752 and Pembrolizumab for High-Risk Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: A Phase 1 Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Ramalingam K, Woody R, Glencer A, Schwartz CJ, Mori H, Wong J, Hirst G, Rosenbluth J et al.

JAMA oncology, 2025

8 participants · 28 citations

Abstract

Importance: Intratumoral immunotherapy that leverages the biological characteristics of high-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may be able to reduce the extent of surgical treatment and provide an alternative approach to improve patient outcomes.

Objective: To determine if combination intratumoral immunotherapy can activate immune cells to shrink or eliminate high-risk DCIS.

Design, setting, and participants: This phase 1 open-label nonrandomized clinical trial at a single academic center tested the safety and efficacy of intratumoral immunotherapy in patients with high-risk DCIS, defined as at least 2 of the following present: younger than 45 years, tumor size greater than 5 cm, high-grade, palpable mass, hormone receptor (HR)-negative, or ERBB2-positive. Patients were enrolled between June 8, 2021, and December 13, 2022.

Intervention: Pembrolizumab (anti-programmed cell death protein 1), dose ranging from 2 mg to 8 mg, and mRNA-2752 (a combination of interleukin [IL]-23, IL-36γ, and OX40L mRNAs), dose ranging from 1 mg to 4 mg, delivered intratumorally, with 2 to 4 doses given 2 to 3 weeks apart.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary objective was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intratumoral injections of pembrolizumab and mRNA-2752. The secondary objectives were to assess radiologic and pathological responses and immunological and histological differences in the posttreatment tumor microenvironment.

Results: Ten female patients with high-risk DCIS (median…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 8 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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