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
A Phase II Study of Nab-Paclitaxel Combined With Retlirafusp Alfa and Apatinib in Patients With Advanced Mucosal Melanoma
This is a prospective, single-arm, open-label Phase II clinical study. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel combined with retlirafusp alfa injection and apatinib mesylate in patients with advanced mucosal melanoma. Participants will receive treatment with nab-paclitaxel combined with retlirafusp alfa injection and apatinib mesylate. Each treatment cycle lasts 3 weeks, and participants will receive a total of 6 cycles. Participants whose disease does not progress after the initial treatment will continue maintenance therapy with apatinib mesylate combined with retlirafusp alfa injection until their disease progresses or they experience intolerable side effects. After enrollment, participants will undergo safety visits before each dose on Day 1 and Day 21 of each treatment cycle. Tumor imaging assessments will be performed before treatment and after every 2 to 4 cycles of treatment. Clinical response will be evaluated by radiologists according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria. Researchers will monitor participants for any adverse events throughout the study and will grade the severity of these events according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. After treatment is completed, participants will be followed for 12 weeks for safety monitoring, and long-term survival follow-up will continue.
Adjuvant/Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Melanoma Based on Serial Plasma ctDNA Monitoring
The purpose of the study is to see if periodic (serial) blood-based testing of ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) while receiving study treatment with study drug therapy for advanced melanoma (skin cancer) can be used to decide the best plan for care during and after initial study drug treatment.
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