Patient's own immune cells plus drug tested against tough melanoma

NCT ID NCT05176470

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether giving a patient's own lab-grown tumor-fighting immune cells (Lifileucel) together with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab can safely shrink advanced melanoma. Only 2 people with stage IIIB-D or IV melanoma took part. The goal is to see if this combination is feasible and safe before surgery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Lifileucel (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) and pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a way to shrink advanced melanoma tumors before surgery using a patient's own immune cells combined with an immunotherapy drug.

What could go wrong

This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 2 participants, so results may not apply to others. The treatment involves strong chemotherapy beforehand, which can cause serious side effects.

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.

cutaneous melanoma melanoma metastatic melanoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States