New combo therapy targets melanoma in the brain
NCT ID NCT05704647
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This phase 2 trial is testing whether combining two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and relatlimab, can help control melanoma that has spread to the brain. About 30 adults with active brain metastases will receive the drugs by IV. Researchers will monitor side effects and how well the treatment works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- nivolumab and relatlimab (immunotherapy drugs given by IV)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for melanoma that has spread to the brain, helping control the disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 30 people, so results may not apply to everyone. The drugs can cause immune-related side effects, and there is no guarantee they will shrink brain tumors.
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
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- 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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Feb 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2028
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.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years old. 2. Life Expectancy \> 12 weeks. 3. Subjects must have signed and dated an IRB/IEC approved written informed consent form in accordance with regulatory and institutional guidelines. This must be obtained before the performance of any protocol related procedures that are not part of normal subject care. • Subjects must be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment schedule, laboratory testing, and other requirements of the study. 4. Histologically confirmed malignant melanoma with measurable metastases in the brain (≥ 0.5 cm). 5. At least one measurable intracranial target lesion, which previously was not treated with local therapy (no prior SRS to this lesion). • Largest diameter of ≥ 0.5cm, but ≤ 3cm as determined by contrast-enhanced MRI. 6. Representative formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens in paraffin blocks (blocks are preferred) OR at least 4 unstained slides, with an associated pathology report, for testing of tumor PD-L1 expression: * Tumor tissue should be of good quality based on total and viable tumor content. * Patients who do not have tissue specimens may undergo a biopsy during the screening period. Acceptable samples include core-needle biopsies for deep tumor tissue or excisional, incisional, punch, or forceps biopsies for cutaneous, subcutaneous, or mucosal lesions. Fine Needle Aspirations (FNA) will not be considered acceptable for tissue procurement. * Tumor tissue from bone metastases is not evaluable for PD-L1 expression and is therefore not acceptable. * However, if repeat biopsy is not feasible, and no archival tissue available patient still may be enrolled. 7. Prior SRT and prior excision of up to 5 MBM is permitted if there has been complete recovery, with no neurologic sequelae, and measurable non irradiated lesions remain. 8. Growth or change in a lesion previously irradiated will not be considered measurable. Regrowth in cavity of previously excised lesion will not be considered measurable. • Any prior SRT to brain lesions or prior excision must have occurred ≥ 1 weeks before the start of dosing for this study. 9. Radiation to NON-CNS lesions. Prior radiation to NON-CNS is allowed and does not require a washout period for treatment initiation. 10. Subjects must be free of neurologic signs and symptoms related to metastatic brain lesions and must not have required or received systemic corticosteroid therapy in the 5 days prior to beginning protocol therapy. 11. ECOG performance status ≤1. 12. Adequate organ function as described below. 13. Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) must not be breastfeeding and must have a negative pregnancy test within 3 days prior to initiation of dosing. She must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control from the time of the negative pregnancy test, through the duration of treatment with the study combination plus 5 half lives of study treatment for a total of 5 months post -treatment completion. WOCBP must agree to adhere to the contraceptive guidance in Appendix 5. NOTE: A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not a woman of childbearing potential as defined Appendix 4. 14. All associated toxicity from previous or concurrent cancer therapy must be resolved (to ≤ grade 1 or baseline) prior to study treatment administration. This excludes non-serious toxicities. However, stable endocrinopathies requiring replacement therapy will be allowed. 15. Steroids for physiological replacement are allowed. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of known leptomeningeal involvement (lumbar puncture not required). 2. Previous stereotactic or highly conformal radiotherapy within 1 weeks before the start of dosing for this study. NOTE: The stereotactic radiotherapy field must not have included the brain index lesion(s). 3. Subjects previously treated with SRT \> 5 lesions in the brain. Prior whole brain radiation is not allowed. 4. Brain lesion size \> 3 cm. 5. Prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy in the metastatic setting • Patients who received ipilimumab and/or anti-PD1 as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy must have a 6-month washout before receiving any dosing on this study. 6. Subjects with an active, known or suspected autoimmune disease. Subjects with type I diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism only requiring hormone replacement, skin disorders (such as vitiligo, psoriasis, or alopecia) not requiring systemic treatment, or conditions not expected to recur in the absence of an external trigger are permitted to enroll. 7. Subjects with major medical, neurologic or psychiatric condition who are judged as unable to fully comply with study therapy or assessments should not be enrolled. 8. Subject has a history of a second malignancy, unless potentially curative treatment has been completed with no evidence of malignancy for 2 years. Note: The time requirement does not apply to participants who underwent successful treatment of superficial bladder cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other in-situ cancers. Subjects with a completely treated prior malignancy and no evidence of disease for ≥ 2 years are eligible. a. Skin Cancer Exclusion: Please note that basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is exempt from needing resection prior to treatment. (Resection can be completed after the start of treatment). 9. Has a known history of or is positive for hepatitis B (hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] reactive) or hepatitis C (hepatitis C virus \[HCV\] RNA \[qualitative\] is detected). a. NOTE: Without known history, testing needs to be performed to determine eligibility. Hepatitis C antibody (Ab) testing is allowed for screening purposes in countries where HCV RNA is not part of standard of care. 10. Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. No HIV testing is required unless mandated by local health authority. 11. The use of corticosteroids is not allowed for 10 days prior to initiation of therapy (based upon 5 times the expected half-life of dexamethasone) except patients who are taking steroids for physiological replacement. If alternative corticosteroid therapy has been used, consultation with the PI is required to determine the washout period prior to initiating study treatment. 12. Subjects with a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (≤ 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days of study initiation. Inhaled or topical steroids, and adrenal replacement steroid doses \> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent, are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease. 13. Major surgical procedure, open biopsy (excluding skin cancer resection), or significant traumatic injury within 14 days of initiating study drug (unless the wound has healed) or anticipation of the need for major surgery during the study. 14. Non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture. 15. Women who are breast-feeding or pregnant. 16. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness (i.e., active infection ≥ grade 2) or concurrent condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would interfere with the study endpoints or the subject's ability to participate. 17. History of clinically significant cardiac disease or congestive heart failure \> New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 2. Subjects must not have unstable angina (anginal symptoms at rest) or new-onset angina within the last 3 months or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months or a history of myocarditis. 18. Troponin T (TnT) or I (TnI) \> 2 × institutional ULN. Participants with TnT or TnI levels between \> 1 to 2 × ULN will be permitted if repeat levels within 24 hours are ≤ 1 ULN. If TnT or TnI levels are between \>1 to 2 × ULN within 24 hours, the participant may undergo a cardiac consultation and be considered for treatment, following cardiologist recommendation. When repeat levels within 24 hours are not available, a repeat test should be conducted as soon as possible. If TnT or TnI repeat levels beyond 24 hours are \< 2 × ULN, the participant may undergo a cardiac consultation and be considered for treatment, following cardiologist recommendation. Notification of the decision to enroll the participant following cardiologist recommendation has to be made to the principal investigator. 19. Investigational drug use within 14 days (or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer) of the first dose of nivolumab and relatlimab. 20. With a history of non-infectious pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
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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
1 site. 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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M D Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
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