LNS8801 alone or with pembrolizumab for people whose melanoma has stopped responding.

A Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled Study to Assess the Antitumor Activity of LNS8801 With and Without Pembrolizumab in Patients With Treatment-Refractory, Unresectable Melanoma

Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Linnaeus Therapeutics, Inc. · NCT06624644

This trial will test whether LNS8801, by itself or combined with pembrolizumab, can keep melanoma that progressed after anti‑PD‑1 therapy from growing.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment135 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLinnaeus Therapeutics, Inc. Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, nivolumab, relatlimab, ipilimumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations9 sites (Newport Beach, California and 8 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06624644 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an open-label, randomized 1:1:1 multicenter trial enrolling about 135 patients who pass a prescreen blood test for the GPER C/C genotype. Eligible patients with unresectable or metastatic cutaneous melanoma who progressed on prior anti‑PD‑1 therapy will be assigned to LNS8801 alone, LNS8801 plus pembrolizumab, or a physician's choice arm that may include chemotherapy or other immunotherapies. LNS8801 is given orally daily; pembrolizumab is given IV every 3 weeks (with an option to switch to 400 mg every 6 weeks after 6 months), and treatment may continue for up to about 2 years. The trial’s primary focus is on safety, tolerability, and the length of time cancer does not grow (progression‑free survival) comparing the experimental arms to physician's choice.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with unresectable or metastatic cutaneous melanoma who are homozygous for the GPER C/C genotype, have progressed on prior anti‑PD‑1 therapy, have measurable disease, and have an ECOG performance status of 0–1.

Not a fit: Patients with non‑cutaneous melanoma subtypes (uveal, mucosal, acral lentiginous, blue nevus), those without the GPER C/C genotype, or those who have not progressed on anti‑PD‑1 therapy are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the treatment could extend the time the melanoma stays under control and provide a new option for patients whose disease stopped responding to prior immune checkpoint inhibitors.

How similar studies have performed: Combining novel small molecules with PD‑1 inhibitors has shown promise in some melanoma trials, but LNS8801 is a novel agent and has not yet been proven effective in this setting.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Confirmed unresectable and/or metastatic cutaneous melanoma.
* 2 copies of the fully functional form of GPER protein-coding sequence.
* Eligible for and willing to receive 1 or more of the physician's choice (PC) therapies.
* Able to swallow tablets.
* Progressed on treatment with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) administered either as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies.
* Received an anti-CTLA-4 and/or BRAF containing regimen or is not eligible for or has declined anti-CTLA-4 and/or BRAF therapy prior to and for this study.
* Measurable disease.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0 to 1.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Blue nevus subtype, mucosal, acral lentiginous, or uveal/ocular/choroidal Melanoma.
* Previous anti-cancer or investigational drug/device treatment within 4 weeks of the first dose of study drug.
* Radiotherapy within 2 weeks of starting study drug.
* Allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant.
* Unstable autoimmune or immunodeficiency disease.
* Other concurrent health issues that would make participation or completion of the study difficult.
* Prior reaction to anti PD-1 therapy that would make treatment with pembrolizumab unadvisable.
* Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.

Where this trial is running

Newport Beach, California and 8 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions MelanomaMelanoma Stage IIIB-IVCutaneous MelanomaUnresectable Melanoma
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.