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Hypertension, PortalPhase 2NASH-CXNCT02462967

Clinical Trial to Evaluation the Safety and Efficacy of GR-MD-02 for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis and Resultant Portal Hypertension in Patients With Nash Cirrhosis

A Phase 2 study testing GR-MD-02 in people with Hypertension, Portal, run by Galectin Therapeutics Inc. at 46 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Study GT 026 is a Phase 2, multicenter, parallel group, North American, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind study. This study will enroll subjects with portal hypertension (HVPG greater than or equal to 6 mm Hg) who also have a liver biopsy with cirrhosis (Ishak stage 5 or 6), presumably due to NASH… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
Conditions the study is for
Hypertension, Portal
What is being tested?
GR-MD-02
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
162 participants
Where
46 sitesUnited States
Study dates
Jun 2015to Oct 2017
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Has a HVPG measurement ≥6 mm Hg.
  • Has a liver biopsy with cirrhosis (Ishak stage 5 or 6) presumably due to NASH. A liver biopsy diagnosis of cirrhosis presumably due to NASH will include the following 3 categories:
  • Cirrhosis with a definitive pathological diagnosis of NASH (presence of fat, ballooning degeneration, and inflammation);
  • Cirrhosis wherein the biopsy contains either fat (>5%) or ballooning hepatocytes with no evidence of viral hepatitis or other liver disease; or
  • Cirrhosis with no evidence of viral hepatitis or other liver disease in a subject with at least a 5 year history of obesity (BMI ≥30) or at least a 5 year history of diabetes mellitus (as defined by diagnosis by a physician and treatment with at least 1 antidiabetic medication).
  • Is ≥18 years of age and ≤75 years of age at the time of screening.
Show all 14Show fewer
  • Absence of hepatocellular carcinoma by valid imaging (liver ultrasound, triple phase computed tomography of liver or magnetic resonance imaging of liver) within 6 months prior to randomization. If there is not such test available, then it should be performed as part of standard of care.
  • Is willing and able to provide written informed consent prior to the initiation of any study specific procedures.
  • Is not pregnant and must have a negative serum pregnancy test result prior to randomization.
  • If a fertile man or woman participating in heterosexual relations, agrees to use effective means of contraception (ie, 2 effective methods of contraception, one of which must be a physical barrier method).
  • Effective forms of contraception include condom, hormonal methods (birth control pills, injections or implants), diaphragm, cervical cap, or intrauterine device throughout his/her participation in this study and for 90 days after discontinuation of study treatment. Surgically sterile males and females are not required to use contraception provided they have been considered surgically sterile for at least 6 months. Surgical sterility includes history of vasectomy, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oophorectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation. Postmenopausal women who have been amenorrheic for at least 2 years at the time of screening will be considered sterile.
  • If a lactating woman, agrees to discontinue nursing before the start of study treatment and refrain from nursing until 90 days after the last dose of study treatment.
  • If a man, agrees to refrain from sperm donation throughout the study period and for a period of 90 days following the last dose of IMP. Female subjects may not begin a cycle of ova donation or harvest throughout the study period and for a period of 90 days following the last dose of IMP.
  • Prior to randomization, any subject on statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or β 1 selective adrenergic receptor inhibitors should have been on a stable dose for at least 2 months and all attempts should be made to continue the subject on the same dose of the medication for the duration of study participation.

Who cannot join

  • Has a history of hepatic decompensation including any episode of variceal bleeding, ascites not controlled by medication, or overt hepatic encephalopathy (defined by the clinical judgment of the principal investigator but shall include the presence of lethargy, disorientation, inappropriate behavior, and the presence of asterixis).
  • Has a presence of medium or large varices or varices with red signs regardless of size based on endoscopy.
  • Small varices are defined by veins that occupy <25% of the distal one third of the esophageal lumen when insufflated. Veins that completely flatten upon insufflation of the esophagus are not conserved varices. Any varices larger than that are medium (up to 50%) or large (>50%).
  • Red signs include red wale markings (dilated venules oriented longitudinally on the variceal surface), cherry red spots (small, red, spotty dilated venules usually approximately 2 mm in diameter on the variceal surface) or hematocystic spots (large, round, crimson red projection >3 mm that look like a blood blister on the variceal surface).
  • Has had a prior transjugular porto systemic shunt procedure.
  • Has evidence of other forms of chronic liver disease including viral hepatitis B or C, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, Wilson's disease, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, alcoholic hepatitis, hemochromatosis, liver cancer, history of biliary diversion, or autoimmune hepatitis.
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  • Has any of the following laboratory values:
  • Serum alanine aminotransferase levels >10 × the upper limits of normal
  • Serum aspartate aminotransferase levels >10 × the upper limits of normal
  • Platelet count <60 000/mm3
  • . Serum albumin ≤2.8 g/dL
  • International normalized ratio (INR) ≥1.7
  • Direct bilirubin ≥2.0 mg/dL
  • Alpha fetoprotein >200 ng/mL
  • Has a Model End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≥15 or Child Turcotte Pugh Class B or C.
  • Has an estimated creatinine clearance of <50 mL/minute. Glomerular filtration rate will be estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation (Cockcroft 1976):
  • Males: CrCl (mL/min) = ([140 - age] × weight) / (SCr × 72)
  • Females: CrCl (mL/min) = ([140 - age]) × weight) / (SCr × 72)] × 0.85
  • Where CrCl is creatinine clearance, age is in years, weight is in kg, and SCr is serum creatinine in mg/dL
  • Is unwilling or unable to safely undergo HVPG or liver biopsy.
  • Has known positivity for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or a positive HIV test result at screening.
  • Has had major surgery within 8 weeks of randomization, significant traumatic injury within 6 months, or anticipation of need for major surgical procedure during the course of the study.
  • Has a history of a solid organ transplant requiring current immunosuppression therapy.
  • Has used nonselective β adrenergic inhibitors within 6 weeks prior to randomization.
  • Has planned or anticipated variceal ligation therapy during the study.
  • Has had weight reduction surgery within the past 3 years or plans to undergo weight reduction surgery during the study.
  • Has current, significant alcohol consumption or a history of significant alcohol consumption for a period of more than 3 consecutive months any time within 1 year prior to screening.
  • Significant alcohol consumption is defined as more than 20 grams per day in females and more than 30 grams per day in males. On average, a standard drink in the United States is considered to be 14 grams of alcohol, equivalent to 12 fluid ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 fluid ounces of table wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 fluid ounces of 80 proof spirits (40% alcohol).
  • A score of ≥8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (Babor 2000) will result in exclusion.
  • Has a positive urine screen result for amphetamines, cocaine, or nonprescription opiates (heroin, morphine) at screening.
  • Has clinically significant and uncontrolled cardiovascular disease (eg, uncontrolled hypertension, myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to randomization, unstable angina), New York Heart Association Grade II or greater congestive heart failure, serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring devise/ablation or Grade II or greater peripheral vascular disease within 12 months prior to randomization.
  • Has a history of clinically significant hematologic, renal, hepatic, pulmonary, neurological, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, systemic inflammatory, metabolic or endocrine disorder or any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, renders the subject a poor candidate for inclusion into the study.
  • Has concurrent infection including diagnoses of fever of unknown origin at the time of randomization.
  • Has a history of malignancy, except for the following: adequately treated nonmetastatic basal cell skin cancer; any other type of skin cancer, except melanoma, that has been adequately treated and has not recurred for at least 1 year prior to enrollment; and adequately treated in situ cervical cancer that has not recurred for at least 1 year prior to screening.
  • Participates in an investigational new drug study within 30 days prior to randomization (including follow up visits) or at any time during the current study.
  • Has a clinically significant medical or psychiatric condition considered high risk for participation in an investigational study.
  • Fails to give informed consent.
  • Has known allergies to the IMP or any of its excipients.
  • Has previously received GR-MD-02 within 6 months of randomization.
  • Is an employee or family member of the investigator or study center personnel.

Trial locations and contacts

46 sites in 1 country.

46 sites in 1 country

United States46 sites

  • University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109

  • Texas Clinical Research Institute LLC

    Arlington, Texas, 76012

  • Piedmont Hospital

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30309

  • University of Colorado Denver

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045

  • Mercy Medical Center

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21202

  • Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20889-5600

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

  • Medical University of South Carolina

    Charleston, South Carolina, 29403

  • Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611

  • University Hospitals Case Medical Center

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44106

  • Texas Digestive Research Center

    Dallas, Texas, 75246

  • Henry Ford Health System

    Detroit, Michigan, 48202

  • Duke University Medical Center

    Durham, North Carolina, 27710

  • San Antonio Military Medical Center

    Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234

  • University of Florida

    Gainesville, Florida, 32610

  • St Luke's Episcopal Hospital

    Houston, Texas, 77030

  • Indiana University School of Medicine

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202

  • University of Mississippi Medical Center

    Jackson, Mississippi, 39216-4505

  • Kansas City VA Medical Center

    Kansas City, Missouri, 64128

  • Florida Digestive Health Specialist

    Lakewood Rch, Florida, 34211

  • Pinnacle Clinical Research, PLLC

    Live Oak, Texas, 78233

  • Cedars Sinai Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90048

  • North Shore University Hospital

    Manhasset, New York, 11030

  • University of Miami

    Miami, Florida, 33136

  • Intermountain Medical Center

    Murray, Utah, 84107

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37212-1610

  • Tulane University Health Sciences Center

    New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112

  • Columbia University Medical Center

    New York, New York, 10032

  • Mary Immaculate Hospital

    Newport News, Virginia, 23602

  • Digestive and Liver Disease Specialists

    Norfolk, Virginia, 23502

  • IMIC

    Palmetto Bay, Florida, 33157

  • Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

  • Thomas Jefferson University

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107

  • University Gastroenterology

    Providence, Rhode Island, 02905

  • Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital of Richmond

    Richmond, Virginia, 23226

  • Mcguire Veterans Affairs Medical Center

    Richmond, Virginia, 23249

  • Virginia Commonwealth University

    Richmond, Virginia, 23298

  • University of California Davis Medical Center

    Sacramento, California, 95817

  • Minnesota Gastroenterology PA

    Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55114

  • Texas Liver Institute

    San Antonio, Texas, 78215

  • University of California San Diego Medical Center

    San Diego, California, 92103

  • Swedish Medical Center

    Seattle, Washington, 98104

  • University of Washington

    Seattle, Washington, 98104

  • Saint Louis University

    St Louis, Missouri, 63104

  • Tampa General Medical Group

    Tampa, Florida, 33606

  • Digestive Health Specialists

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Phase 2 Clinical Trial to Evaluation the Safety and Efficacy of GR-MD-02 for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis and Resultant Portal Hypertension in Patients With Nash Cirrhosis

Study GT 026 is a Phase 2, multicenter, parallel group, North American, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind study. This study will enroll subjects with portal hypertension (HVPG greater than or equal to 6 mm Hg) who also have a liver biopsy with cirrhosis (Ishak stage 5 or 6), presumably due to NASH, excluding subjects with medium and large varices and those with decompensated cirrhosis.

Subjects with portal hypertension and cirrhosis will be randomly assigned (1:1:1 ratio) to receive 1 of 3 treatment assignments including placebo, GR MD 02 in a dose of 2 mg/kg lean body mass, or GR MD 02 in a dose of 8 mg/kg lean body mass administered every other week over a 52 week period for a total of 26 intravenous infusions. The primary endpoint analysis is the baseline adjusted change in HVPG at 1 year (53 55 weeks) in subjects treated with placebo as compared to subjects treated with GR MD 02 (2 mg/kg/week or 8 mg/kg/week).

Read more

An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with evaluation for varices, HVPG, and liver biopsy will be performed before the first infusion and after the final 26th dose of the investigational medicinal product (IMP). Additionally, subjects will undergo a FibroScan (if available) prior to the first infusion, at Infusion Visit 13, and 14 to 28 days following final 26th infusion, an methacetin breath test (MBT), will be performed if available at screening, at Infusion Visit 13, and 14 to 28 days after the final infusion, and blood will be collected for assessment of biomarkers.

All subjects are to attend 2 postdose visits: the first will occur 14 to 28 days after the final dose administration and a second will occur 14 days following the first postdose visit.

Subjects will be offered enrollment into a subsequent separate study, an open label extension study, if there is adequate tolerability and no safety issues or signs of clinical progression that would recommend discontinuation.

Subjects who do not enroll in the open label extension study will be contacted via telephone every 6 months for 2 years and annually thereafter for a total of 4 years.

Being tested
GR-MD-02, Placebo
Keywords
Liver Cirrhosis
Medical subject headings
Hypertension, Portal, Liver Cirrhosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • GR-MD-02Drug

    Also called galactoarabino rhamnogalacturonate

    GR MD 02 (galactoarabino rhamnogalacturonate), a complex carbohydrate drug that binds to galectin 3

  • PlaceboDrug

    Placebo for GR-MD-02

Study groups in NCT02462967
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
2 mg/kg GR MD 02Active comparatorGR MD 02 in a dose of 2 mg/kg lean body mass administered every other week over a 52 week period for a total of 26 infusions
Receives: Drug: GR-MD-02
8 mg/kg GR MD 02Active comparatorGR MD 02 in a dose of 8 mg/kg lean body mass administered every other week over a 52 week period for a total of 26 infusions
Receives: Drug: GR-MD-02
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorPhosphate buffered saline solution administered every other week over a 52 week period for a total of 26 infusions
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Portal Pressure at Year 1 (Change in HVPG From Baseline and 1 Year)

    Change in Portal Pressure at Year 1 from Baseline

    Measured: 1 year

Secondary outcomes (6)

  1. The Baseline-adjusted Mean Change in the Collagen Proportional Area (%), CPA

    The baseline-adjusted mean change in the CPA at 1 year as determined by digital morphometric analysis of liver biopsies. Collagen proportionate area (CPA) measurement is a technique that quantifies fibrous tissue in liver biopsies by measuring the amount of collagen deposition as a proportion of the total biopsy area. CPA predicts clinical outcomes in patients with liver disease and can sub-classify cirrhosis.

    Measured: 1 year

  2. The Number (Percentage) of Subjects Who Have at Least a One Stage Change in Ishak Assessment From Liver Biology Histopathology. Histopathological Staging of Fibrosis

    The number (percentage) of subjects who have at least a one stage change in Ishak histopathological staging of fibrosis at 1 year as assessed on liver biopsy. Liver biopsy is the accepted standard for histologic assessment of liver disease activity and fibrosis. Ishak assessments on liver biopsy range from 0=no fibrosis to 6=cirrhosis.

    Measured: 1 year

  3. The Baseline-adjusted Mean Change in Liver Stiffness

    The baseline-adjusted mean change in liver stiffness as determined by FibroScan score 14 to 28 days after final infusion.

    FibroScan is a device that measures scarring by measuring the stiffness of your liver.The fibrosis result is measured in kilopascals (kPa) It's normally between 2 and 6 kPa. The highest possible result is 75 kPa. Many people with liver disease(s) have a result that's higher than the normal range.

    Measured: 14 to 28 days after final infusion

  4. The Baseline-adjusted Mean Change in Methacetin Breath Test (MBT), Measured in Percentage

    The baseline-adjusted mean change in the metabolic capacity of the liver as determined the methacetin breath test (MBT) at 14 to 28 days after final infusion. The results obtained from the MBT medical device are expressed as delta over baseline (DOB), which expresses the change in 13CO2/12CO2 ratio in comparison to the baseline measurement. It can be transformed into the percentage of 13C dose recovered over time (PDR) after the ingestion of Methacetin, and the cumulative PDR (CPDR), the rate at which 13C substrate is metabolized, derived from the breath 13C/12C ratio.

    Measured: 14 to 28 days after final infusion

  5. The Number (Percentage) of Subjects Who Have at Least a One Stage Change in Brunt-Kleiner Assessment on Liver Biopsy Histopathological Staging of Fibrosis

    The number (percentage) of subjects who have at least a one stage change in Brunt-Kleiner histopathological staging of fibrosis at 1 year as assessed on liver biopsy. Liver biopsy is the accepted standard for histologic assessment of liver disease activity and fibrosis. Brunt-Kleiner assessments on liver biopsy range from 0 (absent) to 4 (cirrhosis).

    Measured: 1 year

  6. The Number (Percentage) of Subjects That Develop a Clinical Complication of Cirrhosis

    The number (percentage) of subjects with progression of cirrhosis at 1 year, defined as the development of any of the following clinical complications: esophageal variceal hemorrhage or portal hypertensive gastropathy hemorrhage (confirmed by endoscopy or interventional radiology); clinically apparent ascites; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; overt hepatic encephalopathy; an increase in Child-Turcotte-Pugh score ≥2 points; newly diagnosed varices in a subject without prior varices; progression from small to medium or large varices; qualification for liver transplant defined as a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≥15; listing for a liver transplant or the performance of a liver transplant; liver-related mortality

    Measured: 1 year

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted4 Jun 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startJun 2015
  3. Primary completionOct 2017
  4. Study completionOct 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
162 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02462967
Sponsor's protocol ID
GT-026
Acronym
NASH-CX
Status last verified
Oct 2020
First submitted
2 Jun 2015
Last updated
8 Oct 2020
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Chalasani N, Abdelmalek MF, Garcia-Tsao G, Vuppalanchi R, Alkhouri N, Rinella M, Noureddin M, Pyko M, Shiffman M, Sanyal A, Allgood A, Shlevin H, Horton R, Zomer E, Irish W, Goodman Z, Harrison SA, Traber PG; Belapectin (GR-MD-02) Study Investigators. Effects of Belapectin, an Inhibitor of Galectin-3, in Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis With Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension. Gastroenterology. 2020 Apr;158(5):1334-1345.e5. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.11.296. Epub 2019 Dec 5.

    PubMed 31812510

  • Are VS, Vuppalanchi R, Vilar-Gomez E, Chalasani N. Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Score Can Be Used to Predict Liver-Related Events in Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Compensated Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Jun;19(6):1292-1293.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.06.070. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

    PubMed 32629127

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing GR-MD-02 in people with Hypertension, Portal, run by Galectin Therapeutics Inc. at 46 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 40 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Oct 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 46 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 8 Oct 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Portal Pressure at Year 1 (Change in HVPG From Baseline and 1 Year) (time frame: 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02462967, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Oct 2020.

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