NCT06414590 · Thomas Jefferson University
Neoadjuvant Tebentafusp for Uveal Melanoma
What this study is about
This phase II trial tests how well tebentafusp works to shrink tumors prior to primary treatment with surgery or radiation in patients with uveal (eye) melanoma that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Tebentafusp is a drug that binds to melanoma tumor cells as well as immune cells called T-cells.
View original scientific description
This phase II trial tests how well tebentafusp works to shrink tumors prior to primary treatment with surgery or radiation in patients with uveal (eye) melanoma that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Tebentafusp is a drug that binds to melanoma tumor cells as well as immune cells called T-cells. This binding causes an immune response against the melanoma cells, which leads to tumor cell death.
Interventions
DRUG
Tebentafusp-Tebn
Tebentafusp will be administered as follows: 20mcg on Day 1, 30mcg on Day 8, 68 mcg on Day 15, and weekly doses of 68 mcg thereafter.
Primary outcome measures
Regression of primary uveal melanoma after Tebentafusp treatment in 20% of treated patients.
Time frame: 3 months post-eye treatment
Regression is defined as ≥ 20% reduction in tumor volume. All estimates of rates will be presented with corresponding 95% exact confidence intervals. For regression rate, the method of Atkinson and Brown will be used to allow for the two-stage design.
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
- Individuals must meet all of the following inclusion criteria in order to be eligible to participate in the study:
- Male or female patient age ≥ 18 years of age at the time of informed consent.
- Ability to provide and understand written informed consent prior to any study procedures.
- Willingness to undergo tumor biopsies at baseline and post-Tebentafusp treatment.
- Treatment naïve primary uveal melanoma with T3 or T4 category tumor size that are surgically unresectable (other than complete enucleation of eye).
- No surgical indication to completely remove the tumor without enucleation.
- Clinically or cytologically confirmed primary uveal melanoma.
- Participants must be HLA-A\*02:01 positive.
- Predicted life expectancy of at least 12 weeks as estimated by investigator
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 at screening.
- All other relevant medical conditions must be well-managed and stable, in the opinion of the investigator, for at least 28 days prior to first administration of study drug.
- Absence of any psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule.
Exclusion criteria
- An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- Symptomatic uveal melanoma that requires immediate ophthalmological intervention such as enucleation.
- Evidence of metastatic disease.
- Previous treatment with Tebentafusp.
- Patients with any out-of-range laboratory values defined as:
- Serum creatinine \> 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) and/or creatinine clearance (calculated using Cockcroft-Gault Formula, or measured) \< 50 mL/minute
- Albumin \< 3.0 g/dl
- Total bilirubin \>1.5 mg/dL (or 1.3 x ULN). Patients with hyperbilirubinemia clinically consistent with an inherited disorder of bilirubin metabolism (e.g., Gilbert syndrome) will be eligible at the discretion of the treating physician and/or the principal investigator.
- Alanine aminotransferase \> 1.5 x ULN
- Aspartate aminotransferase \> 1.5 x ULN
- Absolute neutrophil count \< 1.0 x 109 /L
- Absolute lymphocyte count \< 0.5 x 109 /L
- Platelet count \< 100 x 109 /L
- Hemoglobin \< 9.0 g/dL
- Uncorrectable abnormal potassium, magnesium, corrected calcium or phosphate abnormality of National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE v5.0) \> grade 1
- Morning cortisol \< lower limit of normal (unless the patient has asymptomatic adrenal insufficiency and is receiving stable replacement doses)
- History of severe hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to other biologic drugs or monoclonal antibodies.
- Clinically significant cardiac disease or impaired cardiac function, including any of the following:
- Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction \<50%
- Clinically significant and/or uncontrolled heart disease such as congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association grade ≥ 2), uncontrolled hypertension, or clinically significant arrhythmia uncontrolled with medical treatment
- Acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris \< 6 months to Screening
- Active infection requiring systemic antibiotic therapy. Patients requiring systemic antibiotics for infection must have completed therapy at least 1 week prior to the first dose of study drug.
- Participants with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. NOTE: Testing is not required unless mandated by the local health authority. Participants with HIV infection may be eligible if ALL of the following are applicable:
- Receiving an approved, stable, effective combination antiretroviral therapy regimen for \> 3 months prior to the planned first study intervention. NOTE: please review Section 5.7 and consider whether any actions should be taken to minimize potential drug-drug interactions,
- CD4 T cell count \> 350 cells/µl,
- CD4 T cell nadir (lowest historical count) \> 200 cells/µl, and
- Viral load confirmed as \< 50 copies/mL during Screening.
- Participants with a known history of chronic viral infections as indicated below. NOTE: Testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not required unless mandated by the local health authority.
- Known HBV infection defined as hepatitis B surface antigen reactive. NOTE: Participants with HBV infection on stable anti-viral therapy for \> 4 weeks prior to the planned first study intervention and viral load confirmed as undetectable during Screening may be eligible.
- Known active HCV infection defined as detectable HCV RNA (qualitative) infection. NOTE: History of HCV is not exclusionary if participants have received curative treatment and viral load is confirmed as undetectable during screening.
- Malignant disease, other than that being treated in this study. Exceptions to this exclusion include the following: malignancies that were treated curatively and have not recurred within 2 years prior to study treatment; completely resected basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers; any malignancy considered to be indolent and that has never required therapy; and completely resected carcinoma in situ of any type.
- Any medical condition that would, in the investigator's or Sponsor's judgement, prevent the patient's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns, compliance with clinical study procedures or interpretation of study results.
- Patients receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other immunosuppressive medication at any dose level. Local steroid therapies (e.g., otic, ophthalmic, intra-articular or inhaled medications) are acceptable.
- Major surgery within 2 weeks of the first dose of study drug (minimally invasive procedures such as bronchoscopy, tumor biopsy, insertion of a central venous access device, and insertion of a feeding tube are not considered major surgery and are not exclusionary).
- Radiotherapy within 2 weeks of the first dose of study drug.
- Use of hematopoietic colony-stimulating growth factors (e.g., G-CSF, GMCSF, M-CSF) ≤ 2 weeks prior to start of study drug. An erythroid-stimulating agent is allowed as long as it was initiated at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of study treatment and the patient is not red blood cell transfusion dependent.
- Pregnant, likely to become pregnant, or lactating women (where pregnancy is defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation).
- Women of child-bearing potential who are sexually active with a non-sterilized male partner, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using highly effective contraception during study treatment (defined in Section 8.4.7), and must agree to continue using such precautions for 6 months after the final dose of study drug; cessation of birth control after this point should be discussed with a responsible physician.
- Male patients must be surgically sterile or use double barrier contraception methods from enrolment through treatment and for 6 months following administration of the last dose of study drug.
Where
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Collaborators
Immunocore Ltd
Related conditions & keywords
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 Jun 12, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations