A recent collaborative clinical study has unveiled compelling preliminary evidence for a new, orally administered therapeutic named MASL, offering a glimmer of hope for individuals battling oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This innovative agent, meticulously developed through the joint efforts of Rowan University and Sentrimed, represents a significant stride in the quest for more targeted and patient-friendly cancer interventions.

Breakthrough in Oral Cancer Treatment: MASL's Promising Phase 1 Clinical Trial Results

In a landmark investigation, researchers from Rowan University and Sentrimed, a biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to advancing oral oncology treatments, have released the outcomes of a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded clinical trial. This pivotal study, focusing on MASL for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), signals a potential paradigm shift in therapy. The trial, a collaborative endeavor spearheaded by Dr. Gary Goldberg from the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine and Dr. Mahnaz Fatahzadeh of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, saw its findings published in the esteemed *Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology* on August 8, 2025. This publication highlights MASL’s capacity to address long-standing therapeutic gaps in oral cancer management.

MASL distinguishes itself as a first-of-its-kind oral medication, specifically engineered to target podoplanin (PDPN). This oncogenic transmembrane glycoprotein receptor is frequently overexpressed in malignant cells, affecting more than three-quarters of oral cancer patients. Given PDPN's crucial involvement in fostering tumor proliferation, cellular migration, immune evasion, and resistance to existing treatments, MASL's targeted approach holds immense promise. By precisely engaging PDPN, MASL aims to disrupt the critical oncogenic signaling pathways that fuel cancer progression and ultimately contribute to patient mortality. Dr. Gary Goldberg, a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Sentrimed, and a leading expert in intercellular communication in cancer, expressed profound optimism. He noted that the initial findings suggest MASL’s viability as an effective treatment for OSCC lesions. Crucially, the single oral dose administered during this Phase 1 trial was well-tolerated, with no reported adverse effects or side reactions among participants. Furthermore, an encouraging observation was the apparent stimulation of an anti-tumor immune response in one-third of the evaluated patients within a mere 24 hours post-dosing. This early-stage human trial marks a momentous achievement in MASL’s development, paving the way for more extensive clinical investigations. Complementary *ex-vivo* analyses, utilizing tumor cells directly from patients in this Phase 1 trial, consistently demonstrated MASL's effectiveness in curtailing oral cancer cell viability and motility in laboratory settings. These studies further indicated that antibodies could specifically target PDPN to facilitate the selective destruction of human oral cancer cells through near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT). This comprehensive research effort received vital support from Rowan University, Rutgers University, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Sentrimed, and key collaborators from the New Jersey Medical School, the NCI, and Tohoku University.

This pioneering research underscores the critical importance of collaborative efforts between academic institutions and biopharmaceutical companies in accelerating the development of transformative cancer therapies. The promising safety profile and initial signs of efficacy from the MASL trial offer a beacon of hope for oral cancer patients, suggesting a future where treatments are not only more effective but also less burdensome. The swift immune response observed in some patients particularly excites the medical community, hinting at a potential dual mechanism of action—direct tumor targeting combined with immune activation. As MASL progresses to larger clinical trials, it embodies the relentless pursuit of innovative solutions in oncology, driven by a deep understanding of cancer biology and a commitment to patient well-being.