Brain metastases trial: can adding radiation boost immunotherapy?

NCT ID NCT03340129

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study is for people with stage IV melanoma that has spread to the brain. It compares two treatments: a combination of two immunotherapy drugs (ipilimumab and nivolumab) alone, or the same drugs plus precise, targeted radiation to the brain tumors. The goal is to see if adding radiation helps control the disease and reduces the chance of dying from neurological causes. About 218 participants will be enrolled.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo) with or without stereotactic radiotherapy

What this could lead to

If it works, this could show that adding precise radiation to immunotherapy helps control melanoma brain metastases better than immunotherapy alone.

What could go wrong

This is a phase 2 trial, so results are still early. The combination may cause more side effects, and it's unclear if it will improve survival or just delay progression.

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer melanoma metastatic melanoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Alfred Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia

    Contact

  • Calvary Mater NewcastleHospital

    RECRUITING

    Waratah, New South Wales, 2298, Australia

    Contact

  • Melanoma Institute Australia

    RECRUITING

    Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, 2065, Australia

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Oslo Univesity Hospital Radiumhospitalet

    TERMINATED

    Oslo, Oslo, 0379, Norway

  • Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

    RECRUITING

    East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia

    Contact

  • Princess Alexandra Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia

    Contact

  • Royal Adelaide Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia

    Contact

  • Sir Charles Gairdner Hosptial

    RECRUITING

    Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia

    Contact

  • Westmead Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Sydney, New South Wales, 2145, Australia

    Contact

    Contact