Plain-English translation of NCT02821013 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.
This trial is testing two different ways to give PD-1 inhibitors (like pembrolizumab or nivolumab) to patients with advanced melanoma. Currently, doctors give this medication continuously for up to 2 years, but researchers want to know if patients do just as well if they take breaks from the medication when their cancer improves.
Right now, patients receive this medication non-stop for as long as it's working, but there's no proof that this schedule is better than taking planned breaks. If interrupting the treatment works just as well, patients could have fewer clinic visits, fewer side effects, and a better quality of life.
You likely qualify if…
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You will be randomly assigned to receive your cancer medication either continuously (non-stop) or intermittently (with planned breaks when your cancer responds well). Both groups will receive the same medication at the same doses—only the schedule differs. You'll attend regular clinic visits for imaging, blood work, and check-ups, and you'll complete questionnaires about your quality of life and side effects. The trial will track how long you survive, how well your cancer responds, and how you feel over time.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 18, 2026 · Not medical advice
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