Pre-surgery SEMA4D plus immunotherapy for melanoma
Neoadjuvant SEMA4D/ICB therapy for melanoma
['FUNDING_R01'] · EMORY UNIVERSITY · NIH-11308650
This project gives a SEMA4D-blocking antibody together with immune checkpoint drugs before surgery to people with resectable metastatic melanoma to boost their anti-tumor immune response.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | EMORY UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11308650 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would receive pepinemab (an antibody that blocks SEMA4D) combined with approved immune checkpoint drugs prior to surgical removal of melanoma. Doctors will collect tumor and blood samples during the pre-surgery window to see how immune cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages, B cells, and T cells change. The team will compare these immune changes to patients receiving standard care to learn which immune patterns link to long-term benefit. This work builds on earlier patients treated at Emory who showed promising ongoing responses after the same combination.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with resectable metastatic or refractory melanoma who are eligible for pre-surgical (neoadjuvant) immunotherapy would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: People with unresectable melanoma, other tumor types, or medical problems that prevent immunotherapy or surgery are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could strengthen anti-tumor immunity and lower the chance of melanoma coming back after surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Early neoadjuvant work combining SEMA4D blockade with checkpoint inhibitors at the same center showed promising ongoing responses in a small group of melanoma patients, but larger confirmation is needed.
Where this research is happening
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES
- EMORY UNIVERSITY — ATLANTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PAULOS, CHRYSTAL MARY — EMORY UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: PAULOS, CHRYSTAL MARY
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 below.