Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Phase II Study of a Galectin-3 Inhibitor (GB1211) and Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab and Placebo in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Trial Details

Sponsor: Providence Health & Services (other)

Phase: 2

Start date: Feb. 29, 2024

Planned enrollment: 92

Trial ID: NCT05913388
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More trial details at ClinicalTrials.gov More info

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chevron Show for: GB1211 (Selvigaltin)

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Goal: Evaluate whether adding the oral galectin‑3 inhibitor GB1211 to pembrolizumab improves objective response compared with pembrolizumab plus placebo in advanced metastatic melanoma and recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Patients: Adults (≥18) with unresectable or metastatic melanoma (including mucosal or unknown primary) or HNSCC with progression during/after platinum chemotherapy. Prior anti‑PD‑1/PD‑L1 allowed if last dose ≥6 months and radiographic progression documented; treatment‑naïve melanoma permitted. ECOG 0–2, life expectancy >12 weeks, no active autoimmune disease (exceptions: thyroiditis, vitiligo), no untreated brain metastases, no recent systemic anticancer therapy, and adequate hematologic and organ function. Key exclusions include prior galectin antagonist, active infection, Child‑Pugh C hepatic impairment, need for supraphysiologic steroids, and unresolved immune‑mediated toxicities.

Design: Randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled, phase II study with stratification by diagnosis (melanoma vs oral/head and neck cancer) and number of prior systemic therapies. Allocation is 1:1 to experimental combination or control. Planned follow‑up for efficacy and safety through approximately 63 weeks.

Treatments: Experimental arm: GB1211 400 mg orally twice daily plus standard pembrolizumab. Control arm: matching oral placebo twice daily plus standard pembrolizumab. GB1211 (selvigaltin) is a selective small‑molecule inhibitor of galectin‑3, a lectin implicated in tumor immune evasion, fibrosis, and modulation of checkpoint efficacy. Preclinical data show reversal of galectin‑3–mediated interference with PD‑1/PD‑L1 interactions and antitumor immune enhancement. Early clinical experience has demonstrated acceptable tolerability in healthy volunteers and preliminary safety and activity signals in small oncology cohorts when combined with checkpoint blockade; definitive efficacy in controlled oncology studies has not yet been established. Pembrolizumab is a standard anti‑PD‑1 antibody used across melanoma and HNSCC.

Outcomes: Primary: Overall response rate by imaging from randomization to first documented progression, assessed up to 63 weeks. Secondary: Changes in tumor galectin‑3 expression in paired biopsies (screening and day 68); characterization of myeloid‑derived suppressor cells over time as a predictive biomarker; frequency of immune‑mediated adverse events; immunologic activity measures including CD4+ memory phenotype T cells, CD8+ effector phenotype T cells, and tumor‑specific T cells at protocol‑specified time points (notably day 85).

Burden on patient: Moderate. In addition to standard pembrolizumab visits and imaging, patients will take a twice‑daily oral study drug or placebo and undergo paired tumor biopsies, which adds procedural risk and visits. The immunologic biomarker program entails extra blood collections at specified time points to assess T‑cell phenotypes and MDSCs, increasing visit duration and needle sticks. Imaging and safety assessments are similar to standard of care for checkpoint therapy, and no intensive pharmacokinetic sampling is described. Travel and time commitments are greater around biopsy and biomarker time points (e.g., screening, day 68, day 85), but overall visit frequency is consistent with typical phase II immunotherapy trials.

Last updated: Oct 2025

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Providence Portland Medical Center

Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States

[email protected] / 503-215-2691

Status: Recruiting

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