Sargramostim

This phase II trial tests whether CD105/Yb-1/SOX2/CDH3/MDM2-polyepitope plasmid DNA vaccine (STEMVAC) works to shrink tumors in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. STEMVAC targets specific immunogenic proteins that help lung cancer cells to grow. STEMVAC is made up of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is a natural substance in every living organism. DNA acts like a blueprint that tells all the cells in your body how to function. The DNA used in this study contains instructions for your body to produce parts of the 5 proteins the investigators identified (CDH3, CD105, YB-1, MDM2 and SOX2). STEMVAC is given with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) which is being used as an adjuvant to help create a stronger immune response. Giving STEMVAC with GM-CSF to patients while on maintenance therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may help activate certain immune cells to recognize and kill lung cancer cells.

This phase II trial studies how well a cancer vaccine called STEMVAC works in combination with chemotherapy in treating patients with PD-L1 negative, triple-negative breast cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). STEMVAC is designed to target proteins that are expressed on breast cancer stem cells, and it is believed to work by boosting the immune system to recognize and destroy the invader tumor cells that are causing the disease. Chemotherapy drugs work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving STEMVAC in combination with chemotherapy may be an effective treatment for PD-L1 negative metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

This phase I/II trial tests the safety and tolerability of an experimental personalized vaccine when given by itself and with pembrolizumab in treating patients with solid tumor cancers that have spread to other places in the body (advanced). The experimental vaccine is designed target certain proteins (neoantigens) on individuals' tumor cells. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving the personalized neoantigen peptide-based vaccine with pembrolizumab may be safe and effective in treating patients with advanced solid tumors.