Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, arising from pigment-producing cells. Survival has improved dramatically over the past decade, especially for advanced disease. Treatment now includes surgery, immunotherapy that teaches the immune system to attack cancer cells, and targeted drugs that block specific mutations driving tumor growth.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing new immunotherapy combinations, drugs targeting BRAF and other mutations, earlier use of immunotherapy after surgery, treatments for brain metastases, and vaccines tailored to each person's tumor. Researchers are also studying biomarkers that predict which patients respond best to each treatment approach, and testing ways to overcome resistance when immunotherapy stops working.
Personalized cancer vaccines
Several companies are testing vaccines custom-made from each patient's tumor mutations, aiming to train the immune system to recognize cancer cells. Early results show these vaccines may prevent melanoma from returning after surgery.
Earlier immunotherapy use
Trials are testing whether giving immunotherapy right after surgery prevents recurrence in earlier-stage melanoma. Some combinations have already shown benefit for stage III disease.
Brain metastasis treatments
New drug combinations are being tested specifically for melanoma that has spread to the brain, where treatment options have historically been limited. Some immunotherapy combinations now show response rates above 50 percent.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on melanoma stage, whether the tumor has specific mutations like BRAF, prior treatments received, and performance status.
What types of trials are currently open
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and nivolumab, alone or in combination, often to see if they work in earlier stages or overcome resistance.
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that block BRAF, MEK, or other mutations found in melanoma tumors. Usually for people whose tumors have specific genetic changes.
- Vaccine trials — Testing personalized vaccines made from your tumor's mutations, or vaccines targeting shared melanoma antigens. Often given after surgery to prevent recurrence.
- Adjuvant trials — Testing whether giving immunotherapy or targeted drugs after surgery prevents melanoma from returning, typically for stage III disease.
- Combination trials — Testing new drug combinations, such as two immunotherapy drugs together, or immunotherapy plus targeted therapy or vaccines.
Recently added Melanoma trials
Share archived tumor samples for protein research
This Vietnam-based observational study examines ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1/cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (ENPP1/cGAS) protein and stromal fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression in multiple solid tumor samples using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The study involves no investigational treatments or participant-facing procedures. Tumor samples used in this study consist exclusively of archived formalin-fixed paraffin- embedded (FFPE) tumor samples that were collected as part of routine clinical diagnosis or treatment and for which all required procedures for standard clinical care have been completed. Only archived tumor samples obtained from routine clinical care will be included in this study. No additional biopsy, surgical resection, or specimen collection will be performed for research purposes, and no sample will be diverted prior to completion of clinical requirements. All included archived tumor samples will undergo ENPP1, cGAS, and FAP IHC analysis according to the procedures specified in the Laboratory Manual.
Take two new drugs after eye melanoma surgery to prevent recurrence
This is a randomized, multi-center, open-label study of adjuvant darovasertib in participants with non-metastatic uveal melanoma (OptimUM-11)
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