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pTVG-HP DNA Vaccine + Nivolumab + Targeted Radiation Therapy to Resistant Lesions for the Treatment of Biochemically Recurrent, Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer

Trial Status: active

This phase I trial tests the effect of pTVG-HP deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine and nivolumab in combination with targeted radiation therapy in treating patients with prostate adenocarcinoma that have an increasing prostate specific antigen (PSA) after period of improvement (biochemically recurrent) or treatment and that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to a limited number of places in the body (oligometastatic). Vaccines made from pTVG-HP, a piece of DNA genetic material that contains genetic code for a protein that is made by the prostate gland, called prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the tumor, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. This study also plans to use positron emission tomography (PET) to identify tumor metastasis that are not responsive to treatment. A PET scan is a procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is taken up. Because tumor cells often take up more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find tumor cells in the body. Radiation therapy will then be used to specifically target the resistant metastases. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving pTVG-HP DNA vaccine with nivolumab in combination with targeted radiation therapy may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with biochemically recurrent, oligometastatic prostate adenocarcinoma.