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Advanced MelanomaPhase 2NCT02965716

Talimogene Laherparepvec and Pembrolizumab in Treating Patients With Stage III-IV Melanoma

A Phase 2 study testing Pembrolizumab and Talimogene Laherparepvec in people with Advanced Melanoma and Recurrent Melanoma, run by National Cancer Institute (NCI) at 20 sites in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This phase II trial studies how well talimogene laherparepvec and pembrolizumab work in treating patients with stage III-IV melanoma. Biological therapies, such as talimogene laherparepvec, use substances made from living organisms that may stimulate or suppress the immune system in different ways and stop tumor cells… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Pembrolizumab and Talimogene Laherparepvec
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
43 participants
Where
20 sitesUnited States
Study dates
5 Jun 2018to 4 Nov 2026
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients must have pathologically confirmed stage IV or unresectable stage III melanoma; patients must not have disease that is suitable for local therapy, administered with curative intent
  • Patients must have measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1; contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis are required; a whole body positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan with diagnostic quality images and intravenous iodinated contrast may be used in lieu of a contrast enhanced CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis; imaging of the head and neck, or the limbs is required only if the patient has a lesion(s) in these areas; contrast may be omitted if the treating investigator believes that exposure to contrast poses an excessive risk to the patient; if skin lesions are being followed as measurable disease, photograph with a ruler included and physician's measurements, must be kept in the patients chart as source documentation; all measurable lesions must be assessed within 28 days prior to registration; tests to assess non-measurable disease must be performed within 42 days prior to registration.; all disease must be assessed and documented on the baseline tumor assessment form (RECIST 1.1)
  • Cohort A: Patients must have at least one measurable visceral lesion (per RECIST 1.1); a visceral lesion is any solid organ except for skin, lymph node, and musculoskeletal tissue; at least one of these visceral lesions must be measurable per RECIST 1.1
  • Patients must, in the opinion of the treating physician, be candidates for intralesional administration into cutaneous, subcutaneous, or nodal lesions
  • Patients may have brain metastases if all lesions have been treated with stereotactic radiation therapy, craniotomy, or gamma knife therapy and have not required steroids for at least 14 days prior to registration
  • Patient must have had prior treatment with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 agents and have documented disease progression on these agents prior to registration; patients who have progressed after adjuvant anti-PD1/L1 agents are eligible
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  • Patients must be >= 18 years of age
  • Patients must have Zubrod performance status =< 2
  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mcL (within 28 days prior to registration)
  • Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL (within 28 days prior to registration)
  • Platelets >= 100,000/mcL (within 28 days prior to registration)
  • Albumin >= 2.5 g/dL (within 28 days prior to registration)
  • Total bilirubin =< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (IULN) except patients with documented Gilbert's syndrome (=< 3 x IULN is eligible) (within 28 days prior to registration)
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) both =< 3 x IULN (within 28 days prior to registration)
  • Patients must have lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) obtained prior to registration
  • Patients must have complete physical examination and medical history obtained within 28 days prior to registration
  • Patients must be offered the opportunity to submit archival tissue for translational medicine; patients must also be willing to undergo biopsies and submit tissue and blood for translational medicine; with patients consent, any remaining specimens will be banked for future use
  • Patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and must sign and give written informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines
  • As a part of the Oncology Patient Enrollment Network (OPEN) registration process the treating institution's identity is provided in order to ensure that the current (within 365 days) date of institutional review board approval for this study has been entered in the system

Who cannot join

  • Cohort B: Patients must not have any visceral lesions
  • Patients must not have had surgery, biologic therapy, or hormonal therapy within 14 days prior to registration; patients must not have had chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 14 days prior to registration; patients must not have had a monoclonal antibody for cancer treatment, except anti-PD1/L1 antibodies, within 28 days prior to registration
  • Patients must have recovered from all adverse events due to prior anti-cancer therapy (residual toxicity =< grade 1) prior to registration, with the exception of patients with =< grade 2 neuropathy, =< grade 2 hypothyroidism, or =< grade 2 alopecia
  • If patients received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to registration
  • Patients must not have received prior treatment with talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC); prior treatment with T-VEC is defined as receiving at least one injection with 1 x 10^8 plaque forming units (pfu)
  • Patients must not have received any live vaccine within 30 days prior to registration; seasonal flu vaccines that do not contain live virus are permitted
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  • Patients must not be planning to receive other biologic therapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or other therapy while on this protocol; palliative radiation therapy or surgery can be considered for symptomatic non-target lesions after discussions with the study team
  • Patients must not require use of systemic corticosteroid within 14 days prior to registration or during protocol treatment; patients with preexisting severe autoimmune disease requiring systemic corticosteroids or ongoing immunosuppression are not eligible
  • Patients must not have known history of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to contraindication of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in immune-compromised patients and that administration of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) has not been tested in HIV-positive patients; the use of physiologic doses of corticosteroids may be approved after consultation with the study chair
  • Patients must not have history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis
  • Patients must not have an active infection requiring systemic therapy nor a viral infection requiring intermittent treatment with an antiherpetic drug, other than intermittent topical use
  • Patients must not have active herpetic skin lesions or prior complications of herpetic infection (e.g., herpetic keratitis or encephalitis) which requires intermittent or chronic treatment with an anti-herpetic drug other than intermittent topical use
  • Patients must not have organ allografts
  • Patients must not have an uncontrolled intercurrent illness or whose control may be jeopardized by the treatment with the study therapy, or psychiatric illness/social situations which would limit compliance with study requirements
  • Patients must not have active autoimmune disease (e.g., pneumonitis, glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, or other) that requires systemic treatment (i.e., use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs or biological agents used for treatment of autoimmune diseases) in the past 2 years; replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine for hypothyroidism, insulin for diabetes or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency) is not considered a form of systemic treatment for autoimmune disease
  • Patient must not have evidence of any clinically significant immunosuppression such as the following:
  • Primary immunodeficiency state such as severe combined immunodeficiency disease;
  • Concurrent opportunistic infection;
  • Receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy (> 2 weeks) including oral steroid doses > 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent within 2 months prior to enrollment
  • Patients must not have any other malignancy that requires active treatment
  • Patients must not be pregnant or nursing due to risk of fetal or nursing infant harm; women of reproductive potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to registration; women/men of reproductive potential must have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method while on study and for 120 days after last study treatment; a woman is considered to be of "reproductive potential" if she has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months; in addition to routine contraceptive methods, "effective contraception" also includes heterosexual celibacy and surgery intended to prevent pregnancy (or with a side-effect of pregnancy prevention) defined as a hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy or bilateral tubal ligation; however, if at any point a previously celibate patient chooses to become heterosexually active during the time period for use of contraceptive measures outlined in the protocol, he/she is responsible for beginning contraceptive measures

Trial locations and contacts

20 sites in 1 country.

20 sites in 1 country

United States20 sites

  • Henry Ford Cancer Institute-Downriver

    Brownstown, Michigan, 48183

  • University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-UC Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219

  • Henry Ford Macomb Hospital-Clinton Township

    Clinton Township, Michigan, 48038

  • Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210

  • Henry Ford Hospital

    Detroit, Michigan, 48202

  • CTCA at Western Regional Medical Center

    Goodyear, Arizona, 85338

  • Indiana University/Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202

  • Allegiance Health

    Jackson, Michigan, 49201

  • Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center

    Kansas City, Missouri, 64128

  • Los Angeles General Medical Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90033

  • USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90033

  • UCLA / Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Los Angeles, California, 90095

  • Loyola University Medical Center

    Maywood, Illinois, 60153

  • University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute

    Mobile, Alabama, 36688

  • Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37232

  • Keck Medical Center of USC Pasadena

    Pasadena, California, 91105

  • Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112

  • Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital

    West Bloomfield, Michigan, 48322

  • University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-West Chester

    West Chester, Ohio, 45069

  • University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center

    Westwood, Kansas, 66205

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Phase II Study of Combining Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC) (NSC-785349) and MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) (NSC-776864) in Patients With Advanced Melanoma Who Have Progressed on Anti-PD1/L1 Based Therapy

This phase II trial studies how well talimogene laherparepvec and pembrolizumab work in treating patients with stage III-IV melanoma. Biological therapies, such as talimogene laherparepvec, use substances made from living organisms that may stimulate or suppress the immune system in different ways and stop tumor cells from growing. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving talimogene laherparepvec and pembrolizumab may work better in treating patients with melanoma by shrinking the tumor.

Read the detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

  1. To evaluate the objective response rate (confirmed complete and partial responses) of treatment with talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in combination with pembrolizumab (MK-3475) following progression on prior anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy alone or in combination with other agents different from talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

  1. To estimate the durable response rate. II. To estimate the objective response rate (ORR) defined as confirmed and unconfirmed, complete and partial responses in the injected lesions.

III. To estimate the ORR in the non-visceral, non-injected lesions. IV. To estimate the ORR in the visceral lesions (Cohort A). V. To estimate the median progression-free survival (PFS). VI. To estimate the median overall survival (OS). VII. To evaluate the toxicity of the regimen.

TRANSLATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

  1. To evaluate whether adding talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) to PD1 blockade can increase T-cell infiltration into tumors and whether change in T-cell infiltration is associated with response.

II. To evaluate whether adding talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) to PD1 blockade can increase T-cell receptor (TCR) clonality in tumors and in peripheral blood and whether increased TCR clonality is associated with response.

III. To evaluate whether intra-tumoral injection of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) can improve the tumor immune microenvironment.

IV. To evaluate whether tumor mutational load, mutations in the IFN pathway, and circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profile are is associated with response to talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) plus pembrolizumab (MK-3475) therapy in the anti-PD1/L1 therapy refractory melanoma patients.

OUTLINE:

Patients receive talimogene laherparepvec intralesionally (IL) and pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 36 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 6 months for up to 1 year and then annually for a total of 5 years.

Being tested
Pembrolizumab, Talimogene Laherparepvec
Medical subject headings
Melanoma

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PembrolizumabBiological

    Also called BCD-201, GME 751, GME751, Keytruda

    Given IV

  • Talimogene LaherparepvecBiological

    Also called ICP34.5-, ICP47-deleted Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) Incorporating the Human GM-CSF Gene, Imlygic, JS1 34.5-hGMCSF 47- pA-, T-VEC

    Given IL

Study groups in NCT02965716
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Treatment (talimogene laherparepvec, pembrolizumab)ExperimentalPatients receive talimogene laherparepvec IL and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 36 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Biological: Talimogene Laherparepvec

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Objective Response Rate (ORR)

    Number of participants with a complete response, defined as the disappearance of all target and non-target lesions, or partial response, defined as a greater than or equal to 30% decrease under baseline of the sum of appropriate diameters of all target measurable legions. ORR is measured using RECIST 1.1 guidelines.

    Measured: Up to 5 years post registration or until death

Secondary outcomes (7)

  1. Durable Response Rate

    Number of participants with complete or partial response per RECIST 1.1 with no evidence of disease progression for at least 180 days from the initial documentation of CR/PR.

    Measured: Up to 5 years post registration or until death

  2. Objective Response Rate (ORR) in Injected Lesions

    Number of participants with confirmed and unconfirmed complete and partial responses in injected lesions. A confirmed complete response (CR) is defined as 2 or more consecutive objective statuses of CR a minimum of 4 weeks apart, a confirmed partial response is defined as 2 or more consecutive objective statuses of PR or better a minimum of 4 weeks apart but no qualifying as a CR. A unconfirmed CR is defined as 1 objective status of CR but not qualifying as a CR or PR, a unconfirmed PR is defined as 1 objective status of PR but not qualifying as CR, PR, or unconfirmed CR. ORR is measured per RECIST 1.1 guidelines.

    Measured: Up to 5 years post registration or until death

  3. Objective Response Rate (ORR) in Non-Visceral, Non-Injected Lesions

    Number of participants with confirmed and unconfirmed complete and partial responses in non-visceral, non-injected lesions. A confirmed complete response (CR) is defined as 2 or more consecutive objective statuses of CR a minimum of 4 weeks apart, a confirmed partial response is defined as 2 or more consecutive objective statuses of PR or better a minimum of 4 weeks apart but no qualifying as a CR. A unconfirmed CR is defined as 1 objective status of CR but not qualifying as a CR or PR, a unconfirmed PR is defined as 1 objective status of PR but not qualifying as CR, PR, or unconfirmed CR. ORR is measured per RECIST 1.1 guidelines.

    Measured: Up to 5 years post registration or until death

  4. Objective Response Rate (ORR) in Visceral Lesions (Cohort A)

    Number of participants with confirmed and unconfirmed complete and partial responses in visceral lesions. A confirmed complete response (CR) is defined as 2 or more consecutive objective statuses of CR a minimum of 4 weeks apart, a confirmed partial response is defined as 2 or more consecutive objective statuses of PR or better a minimum of 4 weeks apart but no qualifying as a CR. A unconfirmed CR is defined as 1 objective status of CR but not qualifying as a CR or PR, a unconfirmed PR is defined as 1 objective status of PR but not qualifying as CR, PR, or unconfirmed CR. ORR is measured per RECIST 1.1 guidelines.

    Measured: Up to 5 years post registration or until death

  5. Progression-Free Survival (PFS)

    Time from date of first registration to date of first documentation of progression or death due to any cause. Patients last known to be alive without report of progression are censored at date of last contact. For a patient to have "progressed", one or more of the following must occur: 20% increase in the sum of appropriate diameters of target measurable lesions over smallest sum observed (over baseline if no decrease during therapy) using the same techniques as baseline, as well as an absolute increase of at least 0.5 cm. Unequivocal progression of non-measurable disease in the opinion of the treating physician (an explanation must be provided). Appearance of any new lesion/site. Death due to disease without prior documentation of progression and without symptomatic deterioration.

    Measured: Up to 5 years post registration or until death

  6. Overall Survival (OS)

    Time from date of registration to date of death due to any cause. Participants last known to be alive are censored at date of last contact.

    Measured: Up to 5 years post registration or until death

  7. Number of Participants With Gr 1 Through 5 Adverse Events That Are Related to Study Drugs

    Only adverse events that are possibly, probably or definitely related to study drug are reported. CTCAE Version 4.0 was used for AE reporting.

    Measured: Duration of treatment and 5 years follow-up or death, whichever occurs first.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 Nov 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start5 Jun 2018
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2023
  4. Study completion4 Nov 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
43 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02965716
Sponsor's protocol ID
NCI-2016-01698
Other IDs
NCI-2016-01698, S1607, S1607, S1607, U10CA180888
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
16 Nov 2016
Last updated
20 May 2026
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Pembrolizumab and Talimogene Laherparepvec in people with Advanced Melanoma and Recurrent Melanoma, run by National Cancer Institute (NCI) at 20 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 19 inclusion and 21 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 20 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 27 Aug 2024). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Objective Response Rate (ORR) (time frame: Up to 5 years post registration or until death). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02965716.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 May 2026.

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