New Immune-Boosting drug takes on tough cancers in first human trial

NCT ID NCT05653882

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Asher Biotherapeutics, Inc. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck squamous cell carcinoma melanoma neoplasm non-small cell lung carcinoma renal cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MELANOMA NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER RENAL CELL CARCINOMA SOLID TUMOR SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF HEAD AND NECK

Contacts and locations

Locations

City of Hope

Duarte, California, 91010, United States
Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Intermountain Health

Murray, Utah, 84107, United States
Karmanos Cancer Institute

Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York, New York, 10065, United States
NYU

New York, New York, 10016, United States
Ocala Oncology Center

Ocala, Florida, 34474, United States
Providence Cancer Institute Franz Clinic

Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
Rutgers

New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States
Sarah Cannon Research Institute

Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States
UCLA

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
UCSD

San Diego, California, 92037, United States
UCSF

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
University of Chicago Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
University of Miami

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
Virginia Commonwealth

Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States
Washington University

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
Yale

New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.