Can an arthritis drug make melanoma immunotherapy safer?

NCT ID NCT05034536

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding infliximab (a drug used for arthritis) to standard immunotherapy (pembrolizumab or nivolumab+relatlimab) can prevent severe immune-related side effects in people with advanced melanoma. About 36 patients who have not had prior treatment will receive either the combination or immunotherapy alone. The goal is to see if this approach reduces side effects without compromising the cancer-fighting effect.

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) or nivolumab+relatlimab combined with infliximab
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could make standard melanoma immunotherapy safer by reducing severe side effects, allowing more patients to complete treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 36 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Adding infliximab could also reduce the cancer-fighting effect of immunotherapy.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

melanoma metastatic melanoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

METASTATIC MELANOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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