LNS8801: a new cancer drug to help advanced melanoma patients who can’t tolerate immunotherapy
Official title: Development of LNS8801 for cutaneous melanoma patients who cannot tolerate immunotherapy
Funded at Linnaeus Therapeutics INC · NIH-11258534 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small-molecule drug called LNS8801 is being studied to help people with advanced melanoma who can’t tolerate immunotherapy, by working with standard treatments and aiming for fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Linnaeus Therapeutics INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Haddonfield, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $999,960 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA297994-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11258534 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with advanced cancer (notably melanoma) whose disease expresses GPER and who cannot tolerate immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not express GPER or who are not eligible for this class of oral agents may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a orally delivered drug, LNS8801, that targets nonclassical estrogen signaling through the GPER receptor to boost cancer-killing effects when used with existing therapies. Early work suggests LNS8801 could have broad anti-tumor activity and may work well in combination with other treatments, while being well tolerated. The grant builds on prior STTR/SBIR efforts and aims to advance toward human trials with careful safety and efficacy evaluation. If successful, this approach could expand options for patients whose tumors express GPER and who cannot continue immunotherapy due to side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with advanced melanoma and other cancers could gain an additional treatment option that works alongside standard therapies and may reduce treatment-related side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical work and prior SBIR/STTR efforts have shown promising anti-tumor activity and synergy with other therapies, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Linnaeus Therapeutics INC
Haddonfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garyantes, Tina — Linnaeus Therapeutics INC
- Study coordinator: Garyantes, Tina
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.