Synergistic immune boost for bladder cancer with EphrinB2 blocker and PD-1 therapy
Official title: Synergistic immune response after EphrinB2 inhibition & PD-1 antibody therapy in urothelial carcinoma.
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11335673 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A phase II trial tests whether a new EphrinB2 blocker (sEphB4-HSA) plus pembrolizumab can help patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who have EphrinB2 and low Nectin4 to fight their cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $679,846 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA293348-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335673 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with muscle-invasive bladder cancer whose tumors express EphrinB2 and have low or non-expressing Nectin4, and who are candidates for immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without EphrinB2 expression or with high Nectin4 may not benefit from this specific combination.
What this research studies
This trial looks at a combination therapy for bladder cancer that has not fully responded to standard immunotherapy. It uses a novel EphrinB2 inhibitor together with pembrolizumab to see if the two drugs work better together than pembrolizumab alone in patients whose tumors express EphrinB2 and have low Nectin4. Participants would be adults with muscle-invasive disease and specific biomarker profiles, and the study design includes a phase II randomized component. The goal is to improve survival, tumor response, and disease control by leveraging a synergistic immune effect. Results from earlier small studies suggest potential benefits, justifying a carefully monitored, human study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve survival and tumor control for patients with this bladder cancer subtype.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in a prior trial suggested enhanced outcomes with EphrinB2 inhibition plus PD-1 blockade, supporting further testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sadeghi, Sarmad — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Sadeghi, Sarmad
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.