New PR out. ClinicalTrials.gov has the primary completion date for this cancer trial as October of 2020?
Galectin Therapeutics' GR-MD-02 to be Studied in Combination With Keytruda(R) in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
Providence Cancer Center Submits IND for Phase 1b Trial
NORCROSS, Ga., Oct. 19, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galectin Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, announces that Providence Cancer Center has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to study GR-MD-02 in combination with Keytruda® (pembrolizumab), an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in a Phase 1b study of patients with advanced refractory metastatic melanoma. GR-MD-02 binds to and inhibits galectin proteins, predominantly galectin-3 (Gal-3). Galectin will provide GR-MD-02 to the investigators, who are funding the costs of this study.
The IND filing was prompted by findings from preclinical studies led by tumor immunology expert William L. Redmond, Ph.D. of the Providence Cancer Center's Earle A. Chiles Research Institute. That study found that GR-MD-02 increased tumor shrinkage and enhanced survival in immune competent mice with multiple types of cancers when combined with one of the immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1. Pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) was approved by the FDA in September 2014 to treat patients whose melanoma had progressed after treatment with Yervoy® (ipilimumab) or targeted therapy in melanomas that have a BRAF mutation. Details of the study design can be found at clinicaltrials.gov: here. GR-MD-02 is also the subject of an ongoing Phase 1b study in combination with Yervoy in patients with malignant melanoma, also by Providence Cancer Center.
"This proposed study will be the second involving a checkpoint inhibitor in combination with GR-MD-02, and we are very pleased to reach this milestone with the investigators at the Portland Cancer Center," said Peter G. Traber, M.D., president, chief executive officer and chief medical officer of Galectin Therapeutics. "Preclinical data show that GR-MD-02 holds potential to increase the effectiveness of other therapies and represents a promising approach to enhance cancer immunotherapy."
Pending FDA review of the IND, the Phase 1b study will be conducted by the Providence Cancer Center under principal investigator Brendan D. Curti, M.D., director of the Providence Biotherapy Program. Providence Cancer Center researchers have been leaders in immunotherapy research and translational clinical trials in melanoma and other cancers.
"Clinical research has shown that therapeutic combinations involving checkpoint inhibitors have improved outcomes in patient survival. The Phase 1b study will determine if GR-MD-02 enhances the probability of melanoma response with pembrolizumab by inducing proliferation, activation and memory function of CD8+ T cells," said Dr. Curti. "The combination of GR-MD-02 and pembrolizumab has a strong scientific rationale based on Dr. Redmond's laboratory work. This study represents a novel approach for patients with metastatic melanoma and complements our similar study of GR-MD-02 in combination with Yervoy."
Study Design
The proposed Phase 1b study is expected to enroll 16 to 22 patients with advanced melanoma whose disease has progressed after treatment with ipilimumab and/or BRAF-targeted therapy in melanomas with a BRAF mutation, and is designed to determine a safe dose of GR-MD-02 in combination with the approved dose of pembrolizumab (2 mg/kg). The study will employ a 3+3 Phase 1 design with dose escalation of GR-MD-02 beginning with 2 mg/kg in the first cohort and increasing to 8 mg/kg, depending on toxicity. In addition to monitoring for toxicity and clinical response, blood samples will be obtained to assess immunologic measures relevant to galectin biology and pembrolizumab T-cell checkpoint inhibition. Galectin Therapeutics will supply researchers with supporting analysis of the pharmacokinetics of GR-MD-02 and the right to reference the Company's open IND on GR-MD-02.
Yervoy® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Keytruda® is a registered trademark of Merck.
About Metastatic Melanoma
Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is one of the most widespread cancers among young adults. Metastatic melanoma occurs when the cancer cells spread (or metastasize) through the lymph nodes to other parts of the body. The liver, lungs, bones and brain are most often affected by these metastases. The American Cancer Society estimates that there were more than 76,000 new diagnoses and 9,100 deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2012.
About Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute (EACRI), Providence Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland Oregon
Providence Cancer Center, a part of Providence Health & Services, offers the latest in cancer services, including diagnostic, treatment, prevention, education, support and internationally renowned research. The Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute is a world-class research facility located within Providence Cancer Center. The Institute's main area of investigation is cancer immunotherapy, a specialized field of study focused on triggering the immune system to fight cancer. Visit www.providence.org/cancer.
About Galectin Therapeutics
Galectin Therapeutics is developing promising carbohydrate-based therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease and cancer based on the Company's unique understanding of galectin proteins, which are key mediators of biologic function. Galectin seeks to leverage extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost-effective and efficient development. The Company is pursuing a development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for its lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.
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