Testing a new immunotherapy to shrink eye melanoma before surgery

Plain-English translation of NCT06414590 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · 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.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a medication called Tebentafusp can shrink large melanomas (a type of cancer) that have grown in the eye and cannot be surgically removed in the traditional way. Researchers are hopeful that by giving this medication before other treatments, some patients might see their tumors shrink enough to avoid losing their eye. The study will track how well the medication works and watch carefully for any side effects to the eye.

This medication has already shown promise in treating melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body, but it has not been well-studied as an early treatment to shrink the primary tumor in the eye. This trial aims to find out whether giving the medication before surgery or radiation therapy might help patients avoid losing their eye or allow them to have less invasive treatment options.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 18 years old
you have been diagnosed with a large, untreated melanoma in your eye that cannot be surgically removed while preserving vision
you have a specific genetic marker (HLA-A*02:01 positive) that your doctor can test for
you are in good enough overall health to tolerate the treatment, as determined by your doctor
you are willing to have small tumor samples taken from your eye before and after treatment

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has already spread to other parts of your body
you have received any prior treatment for your eye melanoma
you have severe heart disease or a weak heart function
you have serious problems with your kidney, liver, or blood cell counts
you have had severe allergic reactions to other biologic medications or antibody-based drugs in the past

What participation looks like

You would receive the medication in increasing doses over the first three weeks, then continue with weekly doses. Throughout treatment, you would have regular eye exams using ultrasound, special imaging scans, and eye photographs to monitor how your tumor is responding. You would also have blood drawn and small needle biopsies of your tumor taken before starting treatment and after completing the medication course. After the medication phase, you would proceed to your standard eye cancer treatment (such as radiation or surgery) and continue follow-up visits for at least three months.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 4, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

United States

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania