Could a melanoma drug combo tame rare BRAF cancers?
NCT ID NCT05768178
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This trial is testing two drugs, vemurafenib and cobimetinib, already approved for melanoma, in adults with other rare cancers that have a specific genetic change called BRAF V600 mutation. The goal is to see if the combination can shrink tumors or stop them from growing. About 30 people with various cancers like lung, ovarian, or thyroid cancer are being enrolled.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- vemurafenib (Zelboraf) and cobimetinib (Cotellic)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could expand the use of an already-approved melanoma drug combination to treat other rare cancers with the same BRAF mutation, potentially offering a new option for patients with limited choices.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-to-mid-stage trial with only 30 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The drugs can cause side effects like rash, nausea, and eye problems, and may not work for all cancer types tested.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2023
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
THE PATIENT MUST FULFIL THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA WITHIN THE DETERMINE MASTER PROTOCOL (NCT05722886) AND WITHIN THE TREATMENT ARM 05 (VEMURAFENIB AND COBIMETINIB) OUTLINED BELOW\* \*When vemurafenib and cobimetinib-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria or precautions below differ from those specified in the Master Protocol, the vemurafenib and cobimetinib-specific criteria will take precedence. Inclusion Criteria: A. Confirmed diagnosis of a malignancy harbouring any actionable BRAF V600 mutation using an analytically validated next-generation sequencing method. B. Adult patients ≥18 years old. C. Patients must be able and willing to undergo a fresh tissue biopsy at baseline and blood samples for translational research. Note that for patients with haematological malignancies or neuroblastomas, blood, bone marrow aspiration and/or trephine or lymph node biopsy samples may be taken. D. Adequate organ function as per haematological and biochemical indices within the ranges defined in the protocol. These measurements should be performed to confirm the patient's eligibility. E. Women of childbearing potential are eligible provided that they meet the following criteria: * Have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test before enrolment and; * Agree to sexual abstinence OR to use any two forms of highly effective or effective methods together (at least one to be non-hormonal) such as: * Highly effective methods: * combined (oestrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal) * progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable) * intrauterine device (IUD) * intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS) * bilateral tubal occlusion * vasectomised partner * Effective methods: * progestogen-only oral hormonal contraception not associated with inhibition of ovulation * male or female condom with or without spermicide * cap, diaphragm or sponge with spermicide Effective from the first administration of vemurafenib or cobimetinib (whichever is first), throughout the trial and for six months after the last administration of vemurafenib or cobimetinib (whichever is later). F. Male patients with partners who are women of childbearing potential, are eligible provided that they agree to the following, from the first administration of vemurafenib or cobimetinib (whichever is first), throughout the trial and for six months after the last administration of vemurafenib or cobimetinib (whichever is later): * Agree to take measures not to father children by using a barrier method of contraception (condom plus spermicide) or to sexual abstinence * Non-vasectomised male patients with partners who are women of childbearing potential must also be willing to ensure that their partner uses a highly effective method of contraception as in E, above. * Male patients with pregnant or lactating partners must be advised to use barrier method contraception (e.g. condom) to prevent drug exposure of the foetus or neonate. All male patients must refrain from donating sperm for the same period. Exclusion Criteria: A. Diagnosis of unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation. B. Female patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the trial or for six months following their last dose of vemurafenib or cobimetinib, whichever is later. C. Patients with QTcF (Corrected QT interval by Fridericia) at screening of \>450 ms for males and \>470 ms for females measured on triplicate ECG (if 1/3 readings show \>450/470 ms then patient is ineligible). D. Patients with any history of long QT syndrome or Torsades de Pointes (or any concurrent medication with a known risk of inducing Torsades de Pointes). E. Known hypersensitivity to vemurafenib or cobimetinib or any of the excipients. F. Patients unable to swallow vemurafenib and cobimetinib intact, without chewing or crushing the tablets (as per the dosing schedule). G. Patients who were administered a live, attenuated vaccine within 28 days prior to enrolment, or anticipation of need for such a vaccine during vemurafenib and cobimetinib treatment or within six months after the final dose of vemurafenib and cobimetinib. H. Patients with clinically significant pre-existing cardiac conditions including (within the last three months prior to screening): * Uncontrolled or symptomatic angina, * Uncontrolled atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, * Class III \& IV New York Heart Association congestive heart failure, * Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<50%, * Myocardial infarction I. Ophthalmological disorders: History of retinal detachment, severe visual impairment, central serous chorioretinopathy, neovascular retinopathy, or retinopathy of prematurity. Patients with low grade gliomas causing visual impairment may be considered eligible and monitored with close ophthalmological monitoring. J. History of pancreatitis. K. History of central nervous system (CNS) or gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage within three months of trial entry. L. Patients with any history of haemorrhagic stroke. M. Prior treatment with the same class of drug unless presence of a resistance alteration known to be potentially sensitive to either vemurafenib or cobimetinib. Prior sorafenib use is permissible following a washout period of 10 days. N. Any clinically significant concomitant disease or condition (or its treatment) that could interfere with the conduct of the trial or absorption of oral medications that would, in the opinion of the Investigator, pose an unacceptable risk to the patient in this trial. O. Known active infections (bacterial, fungal or viral) that would interfere with the assessment of safety or efficacy of vemurafenib and cobimetinib, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity. Patients with history of testing positive for HIV infection are eligible provided the each of the following conditions are met: * CD4 count ≥350/μL; * undetectable viral load; * receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) that does not interact with IMP (patients should be on established ART for at least four weeks); and * no HIV/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome-associated opportunistic infection in the last 12 months.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
16 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Addenbrooke's Hospital
RECRUITINGCambridge, CB2 OQQ, United Kingdom
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Belfast City Hospital
RECRUITINGBelfast, BT9 7AB, United Kingdom
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Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre
RECRUITINGBristol, BS2 8ED, United Kingdom
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Churchill Hospital
RECRUITINGOxford, OX3 7LE, United Kingdom
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Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
RECRUITINGMetropolitan Borough of Wirral, CH63 4JY, United Kingdom
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Freeman Hospital
RECRUITINGNewcastle, NE7 7DN, United Kingdom
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Guy's Hospital
RECRUITINGLondon, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
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Leicester Royal Infirmary
RECRUITINGLeicester, LE1 5WW, United Kingdom
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Southampton General Hospital
RECRUITINGSouthampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
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The Beatson Hospital
RECRUITINGGlasgow, G12 OYN, United Kingdom
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The Christie Hospital
RECRUITINGManchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
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University College London Hospital
RECRUITINGLondon, NW1 2BU, United Kingdom
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University Hospital Birmingham
RECRUITINGBirmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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Velindre Cancer Centre
RECRUITINGCardiff, CF14 2TL, United Kingdom
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Western General Hospital
RECRUITINGEdinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
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Weston Park Hospital
RECRUITINGSheffield, S10 2SJ, United Kingdom
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