NCT07288112 · Diakonos Oncology Corporation
DOC1021 Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy for Refractory Melanoma
What this study is about
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if DOC1021 + pIFN will be safe and will lead to tumor responses in patients with refractory melanoma. DOC1021 is a dendritic cell immunotherapy derived from a patient's own blood cells and loaded with antigens from the patient's tumor in the form of tumor lysate and mRNA. The goal is to stimulate a T cell immune response that eliminates tumor cells.
View original scientific description
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if DOC1021 + pIFN will be safe and will lead to tumor responses in patients with refractory melanoma. DOC1021 is a dendritic cell immunotherapy derived from a patient's own blood cells and loaded with antigens from the patient's tumor in the form of tumor lysate and mRNA. The goal is to stimulate a T cell immune response that eliminates tumor cells. The study consists of two components: an initial phase I safety study to confirm safety/tolerability of the treatment regimen, and, subsequently, a single-arm phase II cohort to assess efficacy of the treatment regimen.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
- Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and avail-ability for the duration of the study
- Age 18 years or older
- Patients diagnosed with unresectable or metastatic melanoma and progressed following ≥1 prior systemic therapy including anti-PD-1 (i.e., refractory to anti-PD-1). Refractory defined as primary or secondary resistance as per SITC guidelines, except that confirmatory scan not required if clinical progression requiring surgery or radiation to relieve symptoms
- Willing and able to withhold anti-PD-1 treatment from the time of enrollment through \~6 weeks after the first DOC1021 administration
- One or more lesions available for biopsy or resection to yield at least 50 mg (e.g., 5 core biopsies) and preferably 100 mg of tumor for generating DOC1021 and at least 1 measurable target tumor lesion evaluable after DOC1021 by RECIST version 1.1.
- Brain metastases allowed if stable after prior treatment
- Ability to receive filgrastim (e.g. Neupogen), leukapheresis and perinodal injections of DOC1021 near regional nodes + weekly pIFN x 4 weeks.
- Females of reproductive potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test and agree to use effective contraception (as deter-mined appropriate for the patient by the investigator) during study treatment.
- Adequate kidney, liver, bone marrow function, and immune function, as follows:
- Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 gm/dL (use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve is acceptable)
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/mm3
- Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm3
- Calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) \> 30 mL/min using Cockcroft and Gault formula: i. For males = (140 - age\[years\]) x (body weight \[kg\]) / (72 x serum creatinine \[mg/dL\]) ii. For females = 0.85 x value from male formula e. Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) except in patients with Gilbert's disease for which total bilirubin must be ≤ 3 times ULN f. Aspartate transaminase AST (SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase ALT (SGPT) ≤ 3 times the ULN (or ≤ 5.0 × ULN if liver metastases)
- Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) Performance Score 0 or 1
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Known active HIV or hepatitis infection. Patients with HIV that is well-controlled and have undetectable viral titers remain eligible. Patients with history of HCV adequately treated such that RNA viral load is negative also remain eligible.
- Any severe or uncontrolled medical condition or other condition that could affect participation in this study as determined by the investigator, including but not limited to uncontrolled or severe cardiac dis-ease, systemic autoimmune disorders requiring immunosuppression\*, autoimmune hyper/hypothyroidism, untreated viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis (\*autoimmune disorders include but are not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease and immunosuppressive medications include DMARDs like methotrexate, TNF inhibitors, IL-6 receptor blockers, CD80/86 inhibitors, anti-CD20 and JAK inhibitors)
- Residual immune-related toxicities from prior immunotherapy \> Grade 1 severity. However, patients who experienced prior endocrine toxicity are eligible if well-controlled on replacement therapy.
- Treatment with another investigational drug or other experimental intervention within the last 30 days.
Where
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Gilbert, Arizona
- Duarte, California
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Dallas, Texas
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 1, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations