Shorter combo therapy shows promise for advanced melanoma
NCT ID NCT03149029
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase II trial tested a combination of three drugs—pembrolizumab (Keytruda), dabrafenib (Tafinlar), and trametinib (Mekinist)—in 16 people with advanced melanoma that could not be removed by surgery. The goal was to see if a shorter course of targeted therapy, followed by immunotherapy alone, could still control the cancer. The main measure was how many patients had their disease shrink or stay stable six months after starting treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Dabrafenib (Tafinlar), Trametinib (Mekinist)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to a shorter, more tolerable treatment regimen for advanced melanoma that still controls the disease effectively.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 16 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The combination also carries risks of side effects from both immunotherapy and targeted drugs.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Massachusetts general Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States