New Immune-Boosting drug takes on tough cancers in first human trial
NCT ID NCT05653882
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial tests an experimental drug called AB248, which aims to boost the body's cancer-fighting immune cells. It is given alone or with the approved immunotherapy Keytruda to adults with advanced solid tumors like lung cancer, melanoma, or kidney cancer. The main goals are to check safety, find the right dose, and see if tumors shrink. About 552 people will take part.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
etakafusp alfa (AB248) and pembrolizumab
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for certain advanced cancers like lung cancer or melanoma.
What could go wrong
This is a very early Phase 1 trial focused on safety and dosing, so it is far from proving effectiveness. Side effects are unknown and the drug may not shrink tumors.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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City of Hope
Duarte, California, 91010, United States
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Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Intermountain Health
Murray, Utah, 84107, United States
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Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States
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NYU
New York, New York, 10016, United States
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Ocala Oncology Center
Ocala, Florida, 34474, United States
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Providence Cancer Institute Franz Clinic
Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
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Rutgers
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States
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Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States
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UCLA
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
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UCSD
San Diego, California, 92037, United States
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UCSF
San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
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UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
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University of Chicago Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
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University of Miami
Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
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Virginia Commonwealth
Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States
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Washington University
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
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Yale
New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States