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Active, not recruitingNCT05529316Updated Jan 16, 2026

A Study of Botensilimab (AGEN1181) for the Treatment of Advanced Melanoma

A Phase 2 interventional study of Botensilimab and Balstilimab in Advanced Melanoma, sponsored by Agenus Inc.. Active, not recruiting at 51 sites in 10 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-16.

Sponsored by Agenus Inc. · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
150
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study is an open-label, 2-part, Phase 2, multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profiles of botensilimab as monotherapy and in combination with balstilimab in participants with advanced cutaneous melanoma refractory to checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Read the detailed description

This Phase 2 study will enroll up to approximately 220 evaluable adult participants with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of either Stage III (unresectable) or Stage IV cutaneous melanoma and who have had prior treatments with anti-programmed death (ligand) 1 [PD-(L)1].

This study will consist of 2 parts. Part 1 consists of 2 cohorts (Cohorts A and B) that will receive botensilimab monotherapy. In Cohort A, participants refractory to PD-(L)1 will receive botensilimab. In Cohort B, participants refractory to PD-(L)1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) will receive botensilimab. Part 2 consists of Cohorts A and B that will receive botensilimab combination therapy. In Cohort A, participants refractory to PD-(L)1 will receive botensilimab in combination with balstilimab. In Cohort B, participants refractory to PD-(L)1 and CTLA-4 will receive botensilimab in combination with balstilimab.

02

Conditions studied

  • Advanced Melanoma

Keywords

  • Open-label
  • Monotherapy
  • Combination Therapy
  • Anti-PD-1
  • Anti-PD-L1
  • Anti-CTLA-4
  • Immunotherapy
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Agenus Inc. is the lead sponsor of 29 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.

Of its 10 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 3 (30%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

To participate in the study, participants must meet all the following inclusion criteria:

Cohort A only:

  1. Prior treatment with anti-PD-(L)1 therapy (for example, pembrolizumab or nivolumab) for at least 6 weeks and radiologic progression confirmed by 2 scans at least 4 weeks apart, or if symptomatic due to progressive malignancy, then 1 scan showing progression is sufficient.
  2. Progression must be either on treatment with anti-PD-(L)1 regimen or ≤ 12 weeks from last anti-PD-(L)1 dose in metastatic setting or ≤ 24 weeks from completion of therapy in adjuvant/ neoadjuvant setting.
  3. For Part 2 only, no intervening anti-cancer therapy between the last course of anti-PD-(L)1 treatment and the first dose of study treatment except for local measures (for example, surgical excision, biopsy, focal radiation therapy), or BRAF ± MEK inhibition when applicable in BRAF mutant participants.

Cohort B only:

  1. Prior treatment with first-generation anti-CTLA-4 therapy (for example, ipilimumab or tremelimumab) and prior treatment with anti-PD-(L)1 for at least 6 weeks.
  2. Progression on most recent anti-cancer therapy.
  3. For Part 2 only, no more than 3 prior lines of therapy in the advanced setting for BRAF mutant and no more than 2 prior lines of therapy in the advanced setting in the BRAF wild type.

Cohorts A and B:

  1. Voluntarily agree to participate by giving signed, dated, and written informed consent prior to any study-specific procedures.
  2. Histologically confirmed Stage III (unresectable) or Stage IV histologically confirmed cutaneous melanoma as per the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition staging system.
  3. Measurable disease on baseline imaging per RECIST 1.1 criteria.
  4. BRAF V600 mutation status or consent to BRAF V600 mutation testing per local institutional standards during the screening period.
  5. Life expectancy ≥ 3 months.
  6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1.
  7. Adequate organ function is defined as the following laboratory values within 14 days of Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1):

    1. Neutrophils > 1500/microliter (μL) (stable off any growth factor within 4 weeks of first study treatment administration).
    2. Platelets > 100 × 10\^3/μL (transfusion to achieve this level is not permitted within 2 weeks of first study treatment administration).
    3. Hemoglobin > 8.0 grams/deciliter (g/dL) (transfusion to achieve this level is not permitted within 2 weeks of first study treatment administration).
    4. Creatinine clearance ≥ 45 milliliters/minute (measured or calculated using modification of diet in renal disease).
    5. Aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase \< 3.0 × upper limit of normal (ULN).
    6. Total bilirubin \< 1.5 × ULN, or \< 3.0 × ULN for participants with Gilbert syndrome.
    7. Albumin ≥ 3.0 g/dL.
    8. International normalized ratio or prothrombin time ≤ 1.5 × ULN and activated partial thromboplastin time ≤ 1.5 × ULN (unless participant is receiving anticoagulant therapy).
  8. Participant must provide a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue sample from the most recent biopsy of a tumor lesion, obtained within 90 days from signing informed consent form. If recent tumor tissue is unavailable or inadequate, a fresh biopsy will be required, unless the Sponsor agrees that it is not safe/feasible.
  9. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test at screening (within 72 hours of first dose of study medication) and prior to study drug administration. In part 1, WOCBP must agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures starting with the screening visit through 3 months after the last dose of study treatment. In Part 2, WOCBP must agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures starting with the screening visit through 5 months after the last dose of study treatment. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the established and preferred contraception for the participant.
  10. In Part 1, male participants with a female partner(s) of childbearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures throughout the study, starting with the screening visit through 3 months after the last dose of study treatment is received. In Part 2, male participants with a female partner(s) of childbearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraceptive measures throughout the study starting with the screening visit through 5 months after the last dose of study treatment is received. Males with pregnant partners must agree to use a condom; no additional method of contraception is required for the pregnant partner.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

To participate in the study, participants must meet none of the following exclusion criteria:

Cohort A:

1. Received prior anti-CTLA-4 therapy.

Cohort B:

1. Received prior Fc-engineered or Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 therapy (for example, BMS-96218, BMS-986288, HBM4003, XTX101, CTLA-4 targeting bispecific or other approaches such as ONC-392).

Cohorts A and B:

  1. Ocular, uveal, or mucosal melanoma.
  2. Any persistent toxicities (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] Grade ≥ 2) from prior cancer therapy, excluding endocrinopathies stable on medication, stable neuropathy, and alopecia.
  3. Any history of CTCAE Grade ≥ 3 immune-mediated toxicity (excluding endocrinopathies and non-necrotizing/bullous rash) from prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy that required treatment with systemic corticosteroids (> 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) or other immunosuppressive medications for more than 4 weeks.
  4. Refractory ascites require 2 or more therapeutic paracentesis in the last 4 weeks or ≥ 4 within the last 90 days prior to study entry.
  5. Bowel obstruction within the past 3 months or an impending bowel obstruction.
  6. Clinically significant (that is, active) cardiovascular disease: cerebral vascular accident/stroke or myocardial infarction within 6 months of enrollment, unstable angina, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class ≥ III), or serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication.
  7. Active brain metastases or leptomeningeal metastases with the following exceptions:

    1. Treated brain metastases require a) surgical resection, or b) stereotactic radiosurgery. These participants must be off steroids ≥ 10 days prior to randomization for the purpose of managing their brain metastases. Repeat brain imaging following surgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery is not required if their last brain magnetic resonance imaging is within screening window. Whole-brain radiation is not allowed.
    2. Untreated isolated brain metastases that are too small for treatment by surgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery (for example, 1-2 millimeters) and/or of uncertain etiology are potentially eligible but need to be discussed with and approved by the study Medical Monitor.
  8. Concurrent malignancy (present during screening) requiring treatment or history of prior malignancy active within 2 years prior to the first dose of study treatment (that is, participants with a history of prior malignancy are eligible if treatment was completed at least 2 years before the first dose of study treatment and the participant has no evidence of disease). Participants with history of prior early-stage basal/squamous cell skin cancer, low-risk prostate cancer eligible for active surveillance or noninvasive or in situ cancers who have undergone definitive treatment at any time are also eligible.
  9. Incomplete resolution of clinically significant adverse events related to most recent therapy/intervention prior to enrollment.
  10. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine or booster \< 7 days before C1D1. For vaccines requiring more than 1 dose, the full series should be completed prior to C1D1, when feasible. A booster shot is not required but if given, must be administered > 7 days from C1D1 or > 7 days from future cycle on study.
  11. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or any of the study drug excipients.
  12. Any evidence of current interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis or a prior history of ILD or non-infectious pneumonitis requiring high-dose glucocorticoids.
  13. History of allogeneic organ transplant, stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant (autologous stem cell transplant > 5 years prior to study enrollment with no evidence of disease are eligible unless lymphopenia Grade > 1 is present).
  14. Psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the study.
  15. Participants with a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (> 10 milligrams [mg] daily prednisone equivalent) within 14 days or another immunosuppressive medication within 30 days of the first dose of study treatment. Inhaled or topical steroids, and adrenal replacement steroid doses > 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent, are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease.
  16. Active autoimmune disease or history of autoimmune disease that required systemic treatment within 2 years before starting study treatment (that is, with use of disease-modifying agents or immunosuppressive drugs).
  17. History or current evidence of any condition, co-morbidity, therapy, any active infections, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the participants participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating Investigator.
  18. A WOCBP who is pregnant or breastfeeding or WOCBP who are not willing to employ effective birth control from screening to 90 days after the last dose of botensilimab (whichever is later).
  19. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection within 10 days for mild or asymptomatic infections or 20 days for severe/critical illness prior to C1D1.
  20. Uncontrolled infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Participants on stable highly active antiretroviral therapy with undetectable viral load and normal cluster of differentiation 4 counts for at least 6 months prior to study entry are eligible. Serological testing for HIV at screening is not required.
  21. Known to be positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen, or any other positive test for HBV indicating acute or chronic infection. Participants who are receiving or who have received anti-HBV therapy and have undetectable HBV DNA for at least 6 months prior to study entry are eligible. Serological testing for HBV at screening is not required.
  22. Known active hepatitis C virus (HCV) as determined by positive serology and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Participants on or who have received antiretroviral therapy are eligible, provided they are virus-free by PCR for at least 6 months prior to study entry. Serological testing for HCV at screening is not required.
  23. Dependence on total parenteral nutrition.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
150 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Part 1 Cohort A: Botensilimab

    Participants refractory to PD-(L)1 therapy will receive botensilimab intravenously (IV).

    Drug: Botensilimab

  • Experimental
    Part 1 Cohort B: Botensilimab

    Participants refractory to PD-(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapies will receive botensilimab IV.

    Drug: Botensilimab

  • Experimental
    Part 2 Cohort A: Botensilimab + Balstilimab

    Participants refractory to PD-(L)1 will receive botensilimab IV in combination with balstilimab IV.

    Drug: Botensilimab · Drug: Balstilimab

  • Experimental
    Part 2 Cohort B: Botensilimab + Balstilimab

    Participants refractory to PD-(L)1 and CTLA-4 will receive botensilimab IV in combination with balstilimab IV.

    Drug: Botensilimab · Drug: Balstilimab

Interventions

  • DrugBotensilimab

    An anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody

    Also known as: AGEN1181

  • DrugBalstilimab

    An anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody

    Also known as: AGEN2034

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Objective Response Rate

    Objective response rate will be determined using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1).

    Time frame: First dose through up to 3 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Progression-free Survival

    Progression-free survival will be determined using RECIST 1.1.

    Time frame: From first dose to first observation of documented disease progression (or death within 12 weeks of last tumor assessment) (up to 3 months)

  2. Duration Of Response

    Duration of response will be determined using RECIST 1.1.

    Time frame: From first dose to first observation of documented disease progression (or death within 12 weeks of last tumor assessment) (up to 3 months)

  3. Overall Survival Time

    Overall survival will be quantified as a median.

    Time frame: First dose through up to 3 months

  4. Frequency of Treatment-emergent Adverse Events

    Time frame: First dose through up to 3 months

07

Study locations

51 sites
  • Scottsdale Healthcare Hospitals DBA HonorHealth
    Scottsdale, Arizona 85258, United States
  • Virginia K. Crosson Cancer Center at St. Jude Medical Center
    Fullerton, California 92835, United States
  • Providence Saint John's Health Center
    Santa Monica, California 90404, United States
  • Yale University School of Medicine - Yale Cancer Center
    New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8028, United States
  • Georgetown University Medical Center
    Washington D.C., District of Columbia 20057, United States
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
    Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
  • John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center
    Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, United States
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
    Jette, 1090, Belgium
  • Oncosite - Centro de Pesquisa Clinica Em Oncologia
    Ijuí, 98700-000, Brazil
  • Centro de Pesquisas Clinicas da Fundação Doutor Amaral Carvalho
    Jaú, 17210-080, Brazil
  • Centro Gaucho Integrado de Oncologia, Hematologia, Ensino e Pesquisa
    Porto Alegre, 90110-270, Brazil
  • INCA II - Instituto Nacional de Cancer Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva
    Rio de Janeiro, 20220-410, Brazil
  • Hospital Sirio Libanes
    São Paulo, 01308-050, Brazil
  • Real e Benemerita Associaçao Portuguesa de Beneficencia - A Beneficencia Portuguesa de Sao Paulo
    São Paulo, 01323-001, Brazil
  • Hospital A.C. Camargo Cancer Center
    São Paulo, 01509-010, Brazil
  • CHU Amiens Picardie - Hopital Sud
    Amiens, 80054, France
  • CHU Grenoble-Alpes - Hopital Michallon
    La Tronche, 38700, France
  • Centre Leon Berard
    Lyon, 69008, France
  • CHU de Nantes
    Nantes, 44093, France
  • AP-HP Hopital Saint-Louis
    Paris, 75010, France
  • Centre Eugene Marquis
    Rennes, 35042, France
  • Gustave Roussy
    Villejuif, France
  • Universitaetsklinikum Essen
    Essen, 45122, Germany
  • Universitaetsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
    Hamburg, 20246, Germany
  • Universitaetsklinikum Heidelberg
    Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
  • University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
    Kiel, 24105, Germany
  • Universitaetsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg - Universitaet Mainz
    Mainz, 55131, Germany
  • Klinikum der Universitaet München
    München, 80377, Germany
  • Universitaetsklinikum Tuebingen
    Tübingen, 72076, Germany
  • Universitaetsklinikum Würzburg
    Würzburg, 97080, Germany
  • IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori Dino Amadori - IRST S.r.l.
    Meldola, 47014, Italy
  • Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale
    Naples, 80131, Italy
  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Senese
    Siena, 53100, Italy
  • Blokhin National Medical Research Oncology Centre
    Moscow, 115478, Russia
  • Branch Office of "Hadassah Medical Ltd"
    Moscow, 121205, Russia
  • Moscow City Oncology Hospital #62
    Moscow, 143423, Russia
  • LLC Medical Services
    Saint Petersburg, 194356, Russia
  • Clinical Hospital Russian Railways - Medicine
    Saint Petersburg, 195271, Russia
  • Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology
    Saint Petersburg, 197758, Russia
  • Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron
    Barcelona, 8035, Spain
  • Hospital Clinic Barcelona
    Barcelona, 8036, Spain
  • Onkologikoa
    Donostia / San Sebastian, 20014, Spain
  • Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon
    Madrid, 28007, Spain
  • Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
    Madrid, 28041, Spain
  • Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena
    Seville, 41009, Spain
  • Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia
    Valencia, 46014, Spain
  • CHUV - Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois
    Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
  • Universitaetsspital Zuerich
    Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
  • Royal Marsden Foundation Trust
    London, SW3 6JJ, United Kingdom
  • The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
    Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
  • Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
    Middlesex, HA6 2RN, United Kingdom
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 16, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05529316
Lead sponsor
Agenus Inc.
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Sep 7, 2022
Start date
Dec 12, 2022
Primary completion
Feb 2028 (estimated)
Completion
Feb 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Jan 16, 2026

Study contacts

Medical Director
study director · Agenus Inc.

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Jan 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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