Combining a galectin‑3 blocker with anti‑PD‑1 immunotherapy for advanced melanoma and head and neck cancer
Phase II Clinical Development of Galectin-3 Inhibition and Anti-PD-1: Immune Monitoring and Tumor Response
People with advanced melanoma or head and neck cancer will get a galectin‑3 blocking drug together with pembrolizumab to help their immune system shrink tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Providence Portland Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137095 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive a galectin‑3 inhibitor called belapectin (GR‑MD‑02) alongside the anti‑PD‑1 drug pembrolizumab. Doctors will monitor your blood and tumor samples to track immune cells and any changes in the tumor over time. The team will measure tumor shrinkage and side effects to see how well the combination works and how safe it is. This phase II work builds on an earlier phase I group that showed promising responses in some patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with advanced or metastatic melanoma or head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are eligible for anti‑PD‑1 therapy are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with other cancer types, early‑stage disease, or who are not eligible for pembrolizumab would not be expected to benefit or be eligible to join.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could increase the chance that tumors shrink and prolong benefit beyond what anti‑PD‑1 alone provides.
How similar studies have performed: An earlier phase I trial (NCT02575404) reported encouraging response rates (about 50% in melanoma and 33% in HNSCC), but larger trials are needed to confirm those results.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Providence Portland Medical Center — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curti, Brendan D — Providence Portland Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Curti, Brendan D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.