Plain-English translation of NCT03842943 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.
This trial is testing whether giving two immunotherapy drugs — and T-VEC — before surgery can help your body fight stage 3 melanoma that has spread to your lymph nodes. You would receive these medications for 6 months, then have surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes, and continue with additional treatment for up to a year afterward. The goal is to see if starting treatment before surgery improves outcomes for people with this type of melanoma.
Stage 3 melanoma can be serious, especially when it has spread to lymph nodes. Doctors want to know whether using immunotherapy before surgery — to help your immune system attack the cancer cells early — might work better than surgery alone, and whether it could reduce the chance of cancer coming back.
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You would visit the clinic every 3 weeks for 6 months to receive both treatments: one medication would be injected directly into your affected lymph nodes, and the other would be given through an IV infusion. After 6 months, you would undergo surgery to remove the lymph nodes. Following surgery, you would continue receiving the IV medication every 3 weeks for an additional year as follow-up treatment. Throughout the trial, you would have blood tests and possibly imaging scans to monitor how you're responding.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 18, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Phase
Testing effectiveness
Sponsor
University of Louisville
Enrollment target
~28 participants
Started
July 2019
Primary completion
June 2026
This trial's estimated completion date has passed — the record may not be fully up to date.
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in May 2024.
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Central contact
Michael Egger, MD
University of Louisville
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.