Can immunotherapy before surgery help fight melanoma?

NCT ID NCT04020809

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial is testing whether the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) is safe to use before surgery in people with high-risk melanoma that hasn't spread. The study includes 20 participants and focuses on whether the treatment causes side effects that delay the planned surgery. Researchers will also look at how the tumor responds and if it helps prevent the cancer from coming back within two years.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

atezolizumab (Tecentriq), an immunotherapy drug

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that giving immunotherapy before surgery is safe for high-risk melanoma, potentially leading to better outcomes by shrinking tumors before removal.

What could go wrong

This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The main focus is safety, not effectiveness, and there is a risk of side effects that could delay surgery.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CUTANEOUS MELANOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cutaneous melanoma melanoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Houston Methodist Hospital

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States