This federal Project Grant award from the National Cancer Institute (CFDA 93.395 - Cancer Treatment Research) to the University of Southern California provides $712,735.00 in funding for a research project investigating the synergistic effects of combining an EphrinB2 inhibitor (SEPHB4-HSA) with pembrolizumab immunotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The project aims to determine the clinical outcomes, pathological complete response rates, and recurrence-free survival of this combination therapy, as well as explore the underlying immune mechanisms of action. Key research activities include prospectively correlating clinical outcomes with biomarker expression (EphrinB2, Nectin4, PD-L1) and analyzing the tumor immune microenvironment through spatial proteomics and single-cell transcriptomics. This 5-year project, which commenced on June 1, 2025, seeks to address the significant unmet need for more effective treatment options for MIBC patients, particularly those resistant to current immunotherapy approaches.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $712.7k | 5/27/25 |