Melanoma was the proving ground for modern cancer immunotherapy — checkpoint inhibitors first showed dramatic activity here, and many patients with advanced melanoma now live for years. Targeted drugs for BRAF-mutant disease and a personalized cancer vaccine are extending these gains.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing combinations of immunotherapy with personalized mRNA vaccines, treatments after immunotherapy stops working, and immunotherapy given before surgery. Researchers are also studying tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy, treatments for rare subtypes like uveal and mucosal melanoma, and how to manage immune-related side effects better.
Personalized vaccines
mRNA vaccines designed for each patient's tumor and combined with immunotherapy are reducing recurrence after surgery in trials. Late-stage studies are underway.
TIL cell therapy
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy uses a patient's own immune cells, expanded in a lab and infused back. It is now FDA-approved for advanced melanoma after immunotherapy fails.
Pre-surgery immunotherapy
Giving immunotherapy before surgery is producing strong responses and may improve cure rates. Trials are testing this approach in stage 3 and high-risk stage 2 disease.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on melanoma stage, BRAF mutation status, prior immunotherapy or targeted therapy, and whether the cancer has spread.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new immunotherapy or targeted drugs in people with melanoma to see if they extend life or shrink tumors more than current treatments.
- Adjuvant trials — Testing treatments given after surgery to lower the chance of melanoma returning.
- Neoadjuvant trials — Testing immunotherapy before surgery to shrink tumors and improve outcomes.
- Cell therapy trials — Studies of TIL therapy or other immune-cell therapies for advanced melanoma.
- Vaccine trials — Testing personalized cancer vaccines, often combined with immunotherapy.
Recently added Melanoma trials
Physical Activity Directly Before Immunotherapy (Nivolumab and Ipilimumab) in Melanoma
The aim of this research project is to determine whether a short bout of physical exercise immediately before the start of immunotherapy (Nivolumab and Ipilimumab) is feasible and has a positive effect on the effectiveness of immunotherapy. It is known that short-term physical exercise leads to marked changes in the innate and adaptive immune system. These changes-specifically an increase in natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells-are associated with a better response to immunotherapy. The patient population selected for this study consists of patients with advanced-stage melanoma who are receiving Nivolumab and Ipilimumab. First, we aim to assess whether such an intervention is feasible in a large proportion of patients, as many patients experience disease-related and treatment-related side effects. Secondary objectives are to demonstrate that the exercise intervention positively influences the immune system and that this, in turn, leads to an improved response to therapy, thereby positively affecting patient survival, improving quality of life, and reducing treatment-related side effects.
Au-TMP and Radiotherapy for Advanced Melanoma With Anti-PD-1 Therapy
Advanced melanoma is a highly aggressive malignancy that frequently exhibits resistance to conventional radiotherapy and single-agent immunotherapy. This study aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability of an innovative melanoma-specific aggregable gold nanosystem (Au-TMP) in patients with advanced melanoma. This single-arm, open-label, Phase 1a clinical trial utilizes a dose-escalation design, where participants receive a single intratumoral injection of Au-TMP followed by sequential radiotherapy and Toripalimab (anti-PD-1) treatment. This trial aims at assessing the safety of intratumoral injection of Au-TMP and radiotherapy in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy.
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