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Metastatic MelanomaEarly Phase 1NCT05704933

Pilot Study of Nivolumab w/Ipilimumab or Relatlimab in Surgically Resectable Melanoma Brain Metastases

A Early Phase 1 study testing Nivolumab, Ipilimumab and Nivolumab + Relatlimab in people with Metastatic Melanoma and Metastasis to Brain, run by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at 2 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the safety and feasibility of giving a single dose of Nivolumab with Ipilimumab or Relatlimab in participants with brain metastases from melanoma who can undergo surgery for removal of their brain metastases 7- 10 days after receiving the study drug. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Metastatic Melanoma, Metastasis to Brain
What is being tested?
Nivolumab, Ipilimumab and Nivolumab + Relatlimab
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
1 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
6 Jun 2023to 20 Aug 2024
Phase
Early Phase 1
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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

  • Age 18 years old or older on day of signing the informed consent.
  • Histological confirmation of systemic cancer from melanoma.
  • Surgery for metastatic brain lesions (i.e., MBM) is needed but not imminent. Imminent defined as requiring emergent intervention. A multidisciplinary team will determine the appropriateness for resection via craniotomy and level of urgency for surgery of the MBM.
  • Resectable metastatic brain lesions (i.e., MBM) in whom surgical resection is a reasonable therapeutic option. A resectable metastatic brain lesion is defined as a lesion that is ≥10 mm in size of longest diameter and in a location outside of the brainstem. (Other target lesions, i.e. those that are not resected but are followed for response, can be ≥5 mm). A multidisciplinary team will determine the appropriateness for resection via craniotomy and level of urgency for surgery of the MBM.
  • Patient is on ≤4 mg/day dexamethasone or equivalent/day over pre-op period.
  • Patients treated with prior monotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 are permitted.
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  • Treatment with BRAF MEK inhibitors (BRAF MEKi) (for example, dabrafenib / trametinib) is permitted as long as has been at least five half-lives or one week prior to study treatment, whichever is shorter.
  • MRI with enhancing metastatic brain lesions (i.e., MBM) amenable to resection of contrast-enhancing tumor (determined by neurosurgeon). A multidisciplinary team will determine the appropriateness for resection via craniotomy and level of urgency for surgery of the MBM.
  • Patient willing to undergo craniotomy and resection.
  • Patient eligible for surgery in the 7-10 days after initial treatment.
  • Patients who had prior surgical resection of MBM are eligible to enroll.
  • Usual acceptable lab parameters, demonstrating adequate organ function as defined in protocol. All screening labs should be performed within 21 days of treatment initiation.
  • Resting baseline O2 saturation by pulse oximetry of 92% or higher at rest.
  • Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial.
  • Willing to provide tissue and blood samples for correlative research purposes.
  • Has ECOG Performance Status (PS) of 0, 1 or 2.
  • Prior whole Brain radiation therapy (WBRT), single fraction radiation therapy (e.g., SRS), or multiple fraction radiation therapy (e.g., fSRT) to the brain is permitted.
  • A negative serum pregnancy test must be documented at the screening visit. Additionally, female patients must exhibit a negative urine pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) within 72 hours prior to the start of study drug, therefore the screening pregnancy test may need to be repeated prior to the start of study drug dosing. A urine pregnancy test can be used for this. A pre-dosing urine pregnancy test must be performed prior to each dose during study phase. A urine pregnancy test will also be conducted at End of Treatment Visit.
  • Female patients of childbearing potential must be willing to use an adequate method of contraception as outlined in Section 13.1.2 Contraception Guidance for Female Participants of Child Bearing Potential. Contraception, for the duration of treatment and an additional 5 months after the last dose of the study drug. Abstinence is acceptable if this is the usual lifestyle and preferred contraception for the patient.
  • Male patients of childbearing potential who are sexually active with Women of Child Bearing Potential do not require contraception.

Who cannot join

  • Has a metastatic brain lesion (or all brain lesions) that is (are) unresectable. Unresectable defined as located in the brainstem or measuring <10 mm in longest diameter. Note, patients with multiple metastatic brain lesions that include non-targetable lesions of <10 mm are allowed to enroll in the study as long as they have at least 1 lesion that is ≥10 mm in size of longest diameter.
  • Has clear evidence of leptomeningeal disease.
  • Is currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment or five half-lives, whichever is shorter, or has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from AEs due to a previously administered agent.
  • Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment. Physiologic doses of steroid therapy (≤ 3 mg/day dexamethasone equivalents) by the time of first dose of treatment are allowed.
  • Has a known history of active Bacillus Tuberculosis.
  • Hypersensitivity to either Nivolumab, Ipilimumab, or Relatlimab or any of its excipients.
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  • Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from AEs due to a previously administered agent. Note: Patients with ≤ Grade 2 neuropathy are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study. Note: If patient received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy.
  • Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer.
  • Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with the use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment. Patients with vitiligo or resolved childhood asthma/atopy would be an exception to this rule. Patients that require intermittent use of bronchodilators or local steroid injections would not be excluded from the study. Patients with hypothyroidism stable on hormone replacement or Sjogren's syndrome will not be excluded from the study.
  • Has a prior history of life-threatening toxicity related to prior immune therapy (i.e., anti-CTLA-4 or anti- PD-1/PD-L1 treatment or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or immune checkpoint pathways) except those that are unlikely to re-occur with standard countermeasures (i.e., hormone replacement after adrenal crisis).
  • Has prior treatment with Relatlimab or any other LAG-3 targeted agent or CTLA-4 targeted agent within 3 months prior to day 1 of treatment.
  • Other than the medications explicitly stated in the exclusion criteria or elsewhere in the protocol, other medications or prior treatments are allowed.
  • Has known history of, or any evidence of active, interstitial lung disease or noninfectious pneumonitis requiring corticosteroid therapy.
  • Has history of myocarditis
  • Has documented LVEF <50% within 6 months prior to start of study treatment and unable to be re-assessed with an LVEF >50%.
  • Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
  • Had major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 21 days prior to day 1 of treatment on study.
  • Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the patient's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the patient to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
  • Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.
  • Is pregnant, breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit through 5 months after the last dose of study drug. Patients must not have a positive pregnancy test at enrollment or prior to administration of study medication. Male patients of childbearing potential who are sexually active with Women of Child Bearing Potential do not require contraception.
  • Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, or anti-LAG-3 agent within 6 months prior to day 1 of treatment on study.
  • Patients with prior focal radiation to the lesion planned for resection will be excluded from the study, as distinguishing radiation necrosis from progression cannot be definitely performed until after surgery.
  • Has a known history of a positive test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies), or known acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). NOTE: Testing for HIV must be performed at sites where mandated locally.
  • Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected). Patients must not have any positive test result for hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus indicating presence of virus, eg, Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, Australia antigen) positive, or Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) positive (except if HCV-RNA negative).
  • Has received a live / attenuated vaccine within 30 days of first treatment. Inactivated vaccines are permitted.
  • Has received treatment with botanical preparations (e.g., herbal supplements or traditional Chinese medicines) intended for general health support or to treat the disease under study within 2 weeks prior to treatment.
  • Participants must not be prisoners or involuntarily incarcerated.
  • Participants must not be compulsorily detained for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (e.g., infectious disease) illness.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites

  • M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas, 77030

  • Moffitt Cancer Center

    Tampa, Florida, 33612

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Randomized, Pilot Study to Evaluate the Molecular and Cellular Response to Treatment With Nivolumab With Either Adjuvant Ipilimumab or Relatlimab in Adult Patients With Surgically Resectable Melanoma Brain Metastases

The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the safety and feasibility of giving a single dose of Nivolumab with Ipilimumab or Relatlimab in participants with brain metastases from melanoma who can undergo surgery for removal of their brain metastases 7- 10 days after receiving the study drug.

Being tested
Nivolumab, Ipilimumab, Nivolumab + Relatlimab, Standard of Care Craniotomy
Medical subject headings
Melanoma, Brain Neoplasms

What participants receive

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

  • NivolumabDrug

    Also called Opdivo

    Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody o PD-1 protein, which is normally express on the surface of activated T cells. The interaction of PD-1 with its ligand (PD-L1) on T cells decreases their cytotoxic activity, helping protect normal cells in the setting of chronic inflammation. Tumor cells can utilize mechanisms to evade T cell mediated cytotoxicity by expressing PD-L1 on their surface or on the surface of T cells. Nivo, by blocking the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, allows T cells to remain active.

  • IpilimumabDrug

    Also called Yervoy

    Ipilimumab is a recombinant, human antibody to CTLA-4.[18-20] CTLA-4 regulates T cell activation by binding with CD80 or CD86 with higher affinity than CD28, resulting in blockage of the co-stimulation signal and preventing further T cell activation. Blockade of CTLA-4 results in further T cell activation.

  • Nivolumab + RelatlimabDrug

    Also called Opdualag

    Opdualag (Nivolumab and Relatlimab-rmbw) is a human monoclonal antibody to LAG-3, currently under investigation.[6] Relatlimab is an antibody (IgG4 isotype) that has a stabilizing hinge mutation for attenuated Fc receptor binding to decrease or get rid of the possibility of antibody-mediated and/or complement-mediated target cell killing. Rela binds to an epitope on LAG-3 with high affinity and specificity, with subsequent blockade of LAG-3 and its interaction with its ligand, MHC class II. This antibody displays compelling in vitro functional activity in reversing LAG-3 that facilitates inhibition of an antigen-specific murine T cell hybridoma overexpressing human LAG-3 . Relatlimab was also shown to improve the activation of human T cells in superantigen stimulation assays when added either alone or in combination with Nivolumab.

  • Standard of Care CraniotomyProcedure or surgery

    Participants will undergo craniotomy for surgical resection of melanoma brain metastases.

Study groups in NCT05704933
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Pre-Surgery Nivolumab + IpilimumabExperimentalPatients will be given one dose of Nivolumab (1mg/kg IV) and Ipilimumab (3mg/kg IV) prior to standard of care surgery for tumor resection.
Receives: Drug: Nivolumab; Drug: Ipilimumab; Procedure: Standard of Care Craniotomy
Pre-Surgery Nivolumab + Relatlimab(Opdualag)ExperimentalPatients will be given one dose of Opdualag (Nivolumab 480 mg IV + Relatlimab160 mg IV), prior to standard of care surgery for tumor resection.
Receives: Drug: Nivolumab + Relatlimab; Procedure: Standard of Care Craniotomy

What is being measured

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

  1. Feasibility: Ability to recruit per treatment arm

    Feasibility is defined as being able to recruit 8 patients per treatment arm (16 total) within 30 months.

    Measured: At 30 months

  2. Comparison of immune cell population per treatment arm

    Investigators will compare immune cell population between treatment arms (Nivolumab + Ipilimumab vs Nivolumab +Relatlimab). The expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in all samples collected will be evaluated, as well as the expression of cytokines and inflammatory cells including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, T regulatory cells, B cells, plasma cells, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-β, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs), dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages. Size of immune cell population will be summarized in the following two ways. One is normalized per 100 cells so that the numbers are comparable between samples. The other estimation is the proportion of cells for each cell population. Other characterizations will be performed.

    Measured: Up to 15 months

Timeline

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

  1. First posted30 Jan 2023
  2. Study start6 Jun 2023
  3. Primary completion7 Jun 2024
  4. Study completion20 Aug 2024

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
Early Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
1 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05704933
Sponsor's protocol ID
MCC-21273
Other IDs
CA209-6D9
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
20 Jan 2023
Last updated
6 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Early Phase 1 study testing Nivolumab, Ipilimumab and Nivolumab + Relatlimab in people with Metastatic Melanoma and Metastasis to Brain, run by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at 2 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 20 inclusion and 28 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 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?

Early Phase 1 (sometimes called Phase 0) studies give a very small amount of a treatment to a few people, mainly to see how the body handles it.

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

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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?

Feasibility: Ability to recruit per treatment arm (time frame: At 30 months). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT05704933.

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 6 Apr 2026.

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