Uveal MelanomaPhase 1/2MELCOMNCT05893654
Melphalan Chemoreduction for Ocular Melanoma
A Phase 1/2 study testing Melphalan Injection and Plaque brachytherapy in people with Uveal Melanoma, run by Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto at 1 site in Brazil.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate a new approach for treating large uveal melanomas, a type of eye cancer. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of using intra-arterial melphalan, a chemotherapy drug, to reduce tumor thickness, allowing for subsequent radiation therapy using a Ru-106 plaque. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Uveal Melanoma
- What is being tested?
- Melphalan Injection and Plaque brachytherapy
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 10 participants
- Where
- 1 siteBrazil
- Study dates
- 1 May 2021to Dec 2025
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 equal to or higher than 18 years
- Diagnosis of choroidal melanoma with a thickness equal to or higher than 8 mm on ultrasound evaluation
- Comprehension and signature of the informed consent
- Adequate pupil dilation and sufficient cooperation to carry out the complementary exams
Who cannot join
- Choroidal melanomas with a greatest basal diameter higher than 18mm
- Any clinical condition that impairs fundus documentation or patient follow-up
- Medical or psychological conditions that prevent comprehension and signature of the informed consent
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans of getting pregnant in the next year
- Past medical history of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to melphalan
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Brazil1 site
Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto - USP
Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14040-906
About this study
Official title: Melphalan Intra-arterial Chemotherapy for Choroidal Melanoma Chemoreduction - a Phase I Clinical Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate a new approach for treating large uveal melanomas, a type of eye cancer. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of using intra-arterial melphalan, a chemotherapy drug, to reduce tumor thickness, allowing for subsequent radiation therapy using a Ru-106 plaque.
The main questions this trial seeks to answer are:
Read more
- Can intra-arterial melphalan effectively reduce the thickness of large uveal melanomas?
- Is the combination of intra-arterial melphalan and brachytherapy a safe and effective treatment option for these tumors?
Participants enrolled in the trial have clinically diagnosed choroidal melanoma with tumor thickness equal to or greater than 8.00 mm. They will undergo a procedure where the chemotherapy drug is injected directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumor. After a few weeks, they will receive the radiation treatment using a small device placed on the eye. Throughout the trial, participants will have different tests to monitor the tumor and their vision, such as ultrasound scans, pictures of the inside of the eye, and a test called electroretinography (ERG) to check the function of the retina. These tests will be done at the start of the trial and at 1, 3, and 6 months later to track the progress of the treatment.
Read the detailed description
INTRODUCTION Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, thus being the focus of extensive research. The primary treatment goals of this disease consist in controlling local disease, reducing the risk of distant metastases, and avoiding enucleation whenever possible.
Plaque brachytherapy is currently the standard treatment for small and medium-sized uveal melanomas. In clinical practice, ruthenium (Ru-106) or iodine (I-125) are the most commonly employed radioisotopes. Ruthenium is the most utilized radioisotope in Europe and South America due to its availability and good clinical outcomes. It is currently the only available option in Brazil's public health system (SUS). However, its use for large tumors (greater than 10 mm in thickness and/or 22 mm in diameter) is limited by the inability of delivering an adequate therapeutic dose of radiation without causing further damage to the surrounding retinal tissue.
For this reason, researchers in medical physics have been investigating new treatment options in the last decades, including external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), radiosurgery (gamma knife or linear accelerator), and proton beam therapy. Although gamma knife radiosurgery and proton beam therapy are effective treatments with reliable tumor control rates, they are associated with poor visual outcomes, inadequate globe retention, and their use is reportedly limited in public health systems of low- or middle-income countries. EBRT carries potential side effects related to a broader radiation field, with an increased risk for complications in ocular and periocular structures, such as eyelids, sclera, lens, and retina. Finally, enucleation is an effective management for very large tumors, but it is usually a last resource.
Considering the above-mentioned treatment limitations for large choroidal melanomas, our group explored an alternative approach using intra-arterial melphalan for tumor chemoreduction, aiming to reduce thickness and allow subsequent brachytherapy using a Ru-106 plaque.
Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) with melphalan has been used to treat multiple cancers, including liver metastases from uveal and skin melanomas, but it has never been described as a primary tumor treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated a reasonable safety profile of the therapy when used for the treatment of other tumors.
This is a phase I clinical trial that assesses the safety profile of chemoreduction with intra-arterial melphalan, followed by ruthenium brachytherapy, performed in patients that would otherwise need enucleation due to tumor size.
METHODS Patients enrolled in the trial shall have clinically diagnosed choroidal melanoma with tumor thickness equal to or greater than 8.00 mm. IAC with 7.5 mg of melphalan will be performed through selective catheterization of the ophthalmic artery followed by Ru-106 plaque brachytherapy 4±1 weeks after the IAC. All patients will be followed up with baseline and subsequent B-scan ultrasonography, SD-OCT studies, color fundus pictures, infrared photographs, and electroretinograms (ERG).
Baseline and follow-up visits At baseline, patients will undergo a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), electroretinogram (ERG) performed according to the recommendations of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standard,14 and ocular B-scan ultrasound.
OCT examinations will be performed using the Spectralis® HRA+OCT image system (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany). The OCT scan center will be determined at baseline based on patient fixation. In subsequent visits, the automatic follow-up from the Heidelberg machine will be used to scan the same region from the initial visit. Scans over the lesions located close to the posterior pole will also be performed.
Ocular ultrasound will be performed using the Accutome 4sight device in mode B, in the initial consultation, and in 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the intervention. The examination will take place with the patient in a seated position, in the most ergonomic and comfortable way as possible, respecting the individual characteristics of the participants.
After the initial assessment, confirmation of the signature of the informed consent, explanation about the procedure, and verbal consent, IAC will be performed in a surgical environment. The intraarterial injection of 7.5 mg of melphalan will be performed only once, in the ophthalmic artery corresponding to the eye affected by choroidal melanoma. Chemotherapy infusion will be performed directly into the ostium of the ophthalmic artery through a microcatheter guided by fluoroscopy via the femoral artery. The drug will be infused in a slow pulsatile manner for 30 minutes to avoid backflow of chemotherapy and arterial occlusion.
After 4±1 weeks, Ru-106 brachytherapy will be performed using a 24-mm notched plaque. Due to tumor thickness and previous IAC, the target dose to the tumor apex should be the closest possible to 80 Gy, respecting the safety limits regarding the risk of excessive dosage to the tumor base and scleral melting.
- Conditions
- Uveal Melanoma
- Being tested
- Melphalan Injection, Plaque brachytherapy
- Keywords
- melanoma, uveal, chemotherapy, chemoreduction, melphalan, ruthenium, brachytherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Uveal Melanoma, Melanoma
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Melphalan InjectionDrug
Also called Intra-arterial chemotherapy, Chemoreduction
7.5mg of melphalan injected via intra-arterial catheterization of the ophthalmic artery.
Plaque brachytherapyRadiation
Also called Radiation therapy, Plaque brachytherapy with Ruthenium-106
Brachytherapy will be performed using a 24-mm notched plaque with Ruthenium-106 seeds.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Single Arm | Experimental | Participants will undergo intra-arterial catheterization of the ophthalmic artery, with administration of 7.5mg of melphalan. After 4±1 weeks, they will receive Ru-106 plaque brachytherapy, which will be performed using a 24-mm notched plaque. Due to tumor thickness and the previous IAC, the target dose to the tumor apex shall be as close as possible to 80 Gy, respecting the safety limits regarding the risk of excessive dosage to the tumor base and scleral melting. Receives: Drug: Melphalan Injection; Radiation: Plaque brachytherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Determination of treatment safety through electroretinography (ERG)
Participants will undergo ERG exams at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after the first intervention. The researchers will assess the patterns of ERG waves to determine whether there are signs of retinal toxicity.
Measured: 6 months
Secondary outcomes (5)
Reduction of Tumor Size
Measurements of tumor thickness and widest base diameter, in millimeters, as compared to baseline, to be assessed via b-scan ultrasonography.
Measured: 6 months
Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA)
Participants will undergo visual acuity testing at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after the first intervention. BCVA will be determined in ETDRS letter changes and the Snellen system.
Measured: 6 months
Signs of intraocular inflammation
Various evaluations including clinical assessment of systemic side effects, B-scan ultrasonography, color fundus pictures, near-infrared photographs, and electroretinography (ERG) will be performed at specific time points: baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after the first intervention.
Measured: 6 months
Treatment-related adverse events
Participants will be clinically assessed for adverse events immediately after each intervention, as well as 1, 3, and 6 months after the initial intervention. This assessment will be provided by the medical sub-investigators through a thorough anamnesis and clinical examination. Additional investigation, specialty consultations, and laboratory testing may be ordered on an individual basis according to each patient's signs and symptoms.
We consider an adverse event any untoward medical occurrence or unfavorable sign, symptom, or disease that happens to a participant during the course of the trial, regardless of whether it is related to the interventions being studied. They can encompass a wide range of occurrences, including physical or psychological health problems, abnormal laboratory findings, or worsening of a pre-existing condition.
Measured: 6 months
Globe salvage
Number of enrolled patients that required enucleation or evisceration of the affected eye.
Measured: 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jun 2023
- Study start1 May 2021
- Primary completionDec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (14)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Uveal MelanomaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fundação de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Rodrigo Jorge, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, Professor of Ophthalmology
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05893654
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 48439821100005440
- Acronym
- MELCOM
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 18 May 2023
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All IPD that underlie results in a publication will be shared.
Publications
Krantz BA, Dave N, Komatsubara KM, Marr BP, Carvajal RD. Uveal melanoma: epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of primary disease. Clin Ophthalmol. 2017 Jan 31;11:279-289. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S89591. eCollection 2017.
PubMed 28203054Singh M, Durairaj P, Yeung J. Uveal Melanoma: A Review of the Literature. Oncol Ther. 2018 Jun;6(1):87-104. doi: 10.1007/s40487-018-0056-8. Epub 2018 Feb 6.
PubMed 32700136American Brachytherapy Society - Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force. Electronic address: paulfinger@eyecancer.com; ABS - OOTF Committee. The American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for plaque brachytherapy of uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma. Brachytherapy. 2014 Jan-Feb;13(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2013.11.008. Epub 2013 Dec 24.
PubMed 24373763Reichstein DA, Brock AL. Radiation therapy for uveal melanoma: a review of treatment methods available in 2021. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2021 May 1;32(3):183-190. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000761.
PubMed 33770014Parker T, Rigney G, Kallos J, Stefko ST, Kano H, Niranjan A, Green AL, Aziz T, Rath P, Lunsford LD. Gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanomas and metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2020 Nov;21(11):1526-1536. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30459-9.
PubMed 33152286Marinkovic M, Pors LJ, van den Berg V, Peters FP, Schalenbourg A, Zografos L, Pica A, Hrbacek J, Van Duinen SG, Vu THK, Bleeker JC, Rasch CRN, Jager MJ, Luyten GPM, Horeweg N. Clinical Outcomes after International Referral of Uveal Melanoma Patients for Proton Therapy. Cancers (Basel). 2021 Dec 13;13(24):6241. doi: 10.3390/cancers13246241.
PubMed 34944862Thariat J, Martel A, Matet A, Loria O, Kodjikian L, Nguyen AM, Rosier L, Herault J, Nahon-Esteve S, Mathis T. Non-Cancer Effects following Ionizing Irradiation Involving the Eye and Orbit. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Feb 25;14(5):1194. doi: 10.3390/cancers14051194.
PubMed 35267502CREECH O Jr, KREMENTZ ET, RYAN RF, WINBLAD JN. Chemotherapy of cancer: regional perfusion utilizing an extracorporeal circuit. Ann Surg. 1958 Oct;148(4):616-32. doi: 10.1097/00000658-195810000-00009. No abstract available.
PubMed 13583933Hansson J, Lewensohn R, Ringborg U, Nilsson B. Formation and removal of DNA cross-links induced by melphalan and nitrogen mustard in relation to drug-induced cytotoxicity in human melanoma cells. Cancer Res. 1987 May 15;47(10):2631-7.
PubMed 3567896Minor DR, Allen RE, Alberts D, Peng YM, Tardelli G, Hutchinson J. A clinical and pharmacokinetic study of isolated limb perfusion with heat and melphalan for melanoma. Cancer. 1985 Jun 1;55(11):2638-44. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19850601)55:113.0.co;2-e.
PubMed 3995475Shields CL, Jorge R, Say EA, Magrath G, Alset A, Caywood E, Leahey AM, Jabbour P, Shields JA. Unilateral Retinoblastoma Managed With Intravenous Chemotherapy Versus Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy. Outcomes Based on the International Classification of Retinoblastoma. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2016 Mar-Apr;5(2):97-103. doi: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000172.
PubMed 26765038Karydis I, Gangi A, Wheater MJ, Choi J, Wilson I, Thomas K, Pearce N, Takhar A, Gupta S, Hardman D, Sileno S, Stedman B, Zager JS, Ottensmeier C. Percutaneous hepatic perfusion with melphalan in uveal melanoma: A safe and effective treatment modality in an orphan disease. J Surg Oncol. 2018 May;117(6):1170-1178. doi: 10.1002/jso.24956. Epub 2017 Dec 28.
PubMed 29284076Francis JH, Abramson DH, Gobin YP, Marr BP, Dunkel IJ, Riedel ER, Brodie SE. Electroretinogram monitoring of dose-dependent toxicity after ophthalmic artery chemosurgery in retinoblastoma eyes: six year review. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 20;9(1):e84247. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084247. eCollection 2014.
PubMed 24465398Robson AG, Frishman LJ, Grigg J, Hamilton R, Jeffrey BG, Kondo M, Li S, McCulloch DL. ISCEV Standard for full-field clinical electroretinography (2022 update). Doc Ophthalmol. 2022 Jun;144(3):165-177. doi: 10.1007/s10633-022-09872-0. Epub 2022 May 5.
PubMed 35511377
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Melphalan Intra-arterial Chemotherapy for Choroidal Melanoma Chemoreduction - a Phase I Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05893654
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MELCOM / 48439821100005440
- Conditions
- Uveal Melanoma
- Keywords
- melanoma, uveal, chemotherapy, chemoreduction, melphalan, ruthenium, brachytherapy
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão PretoUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fundação de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo
- Study start
- 1 May 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate a new approach for treating large uveal melanomas, a type of eye cancer. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of using intra-arterial melphalan, a chemotherapy drug, to reduce tumor thickness, allowing for subsequent radiation therapy using a Ru-106 plaque.
The main questions this trial seeks to answer are:
- Can intra-arterial melphalan effectively reduce the thickness of large uveal melanomas?
- Is the combination of intra-arterial melphalan and brachytherapy a safe and effective treatment option for these tumors?
Participants enrolled in the trial have clinically diagnosed choroidal melanoma with tumor thickness equal to or greater than 8.00 mm. They will undergo a procedure where the chemotherapy drug is injected directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumor. After a few weeks, they will receive the radiation treatment using a small device placed on the eye. Throughout the trial, participants will have different tests to monitor the tumor and their vision, such as ultrasound scans, pictures of the inside of the eye, and a test called electroretinography (ERG) to check the function of the retina. These tests will be done at the start of the trial and at 1, 3, and 6 months later to track the progress of the treatment.
Detailed description
INTRODUCTION Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, thus being the focus of extensive research. The primary treatment goals of this disease consist in controlling local disease, reducing the risk of distant metastases, and avoiding enucleation whenever possible.
Plaque brachytherapy is currently the standard treatment for small and medium-sized uveal melanomas. In clinical practice, ruthenium (Ru-106) or iodine (I-125) are the most commonly employed radioisotopes. Ruthenium is the most utilized radioisotope in Europe and South America due to its availability and good clinical outcomes. It is currently the only available option in Brazil's public health system (SUS). However, its use for large tumors (greater than 10 mm in thickness and/or 22 mm in diameter) is limited by the inability of delivering an adequate therapeutic dose of radiation without causing further damage to the surrounding retinal tissue.
For this reason, researchers in medical physics have been investigating new treatment options in the last decades, including external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), radiosurgery (gamma knife or linear accelerator), and proton beam therapy. Although gamma knife radiosurgery and proton beam therapy are effective treatments with reliable tumor control rates, they are associated with poor visual outcomes, inadequate globe retention, and their use is reportedly limited in public health systems of low- or middle-income countries. EBRT carries potential side effects related to a broader radiation field, with an increased risk for complications in ocular and periocular structures, such as eyelids, sclera, lens, and retina. Finally, enucleation is an effective management for very large tumors, but it is usually a last resource.
Considering the above-mentioned treatment limitations for large choroidal melanomas, our group explored an alternative approach using intra-arterial melphalan for tumor chemoreduction, aiming to reduce thickness and allow subsequent brachytherapy using a Ru-106 plaque.
Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) with melphalan has been used to treat multiple cancers, including liver metastases from uveal and skin melanomas, but it has never been described as a primary tumor treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated a reasonable safety profile of the therapy when used for the treatment of other tumors.
This is a phase I clinical trial that assesses the safety profile of chemoreduction with intra-arterial melphalan, followed by ruthenium brachytherapy, performed in patients that would otherwise need enucleation due to tumor size.
METHODS Patients enrolled in the trial shall have clinically diagnosed choroidal melanoma with tumor thickness equal to or greater than 8.00 mm. IAC with 7.5 mg of melphalan will be performed through selective catheterization of the ophthalmic artery followed by Ru-106 plaque brachytherapy 4±1 weeks after the IAC. All patients will be followed up with baseline and subsequent B-scan ultrasonography, SD-OCT studies, color fundus pictures, infrared photographs, and electroretinograms (ERG).
Baseline and follow-up visits At baseline, patients will undergo a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), electroretinogram (ERG) performed according to the recommendations of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standard,14 and ocular B-scan ultrasound.
OCT examinations will be performed using the Spectralis® HRA+OCT image system (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany). The OCT scan center will be determined at baseline based on patient fixation. In subsequent visits, the automatic follow-up from the Heidelberg machine will be used to scan the same region from the initial visit. Scans over the lesions located close to the posterior pole will also be performed.
Ocular ultrasound will be performed using the Accutome 4sight device in mode B, in the initial consultation, and in 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the intervention. The examination will take place with the patient in a seated position, in the most ergonomic and comfortable way as possible, respecting the individual characteristics of the participants.
After the initial assessment, confirmation of the signature of the informed consent, explanation about the procedure, and verbal consent, IAC will be performed in a surgical environment. The intraarterial injection of 7.5 mg of melphalan will be performed only once, in the ophthalmic artery corresponding to the eye affected by choroidal melanoma. Chemotherapy infusion will be performed directly into the ostium of the ophthalmic artery through a microcatheter guided by fluoroscopy via the femoral artery. The drug will be infused in a slow pulsatile manner for 30 minutes to avoid backflow of chemotherapy and arterial occlusion.
After 4±1 weeks, Ru-106 brachytherapy will be performed using a 24-mm notched plaque. Due to tumor thickness and previous IAC, the target dose to the tumor apex should be the closest possible to 80 Gy, respecting the safety limits regarding the risk of excessive dosage to the tumor base and scleral melting.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Single Arm | Experimental | Drug: Melphalan Injection, Radiation: Plaque brachytherapyParticipants will undergo intra-arterial catheterization of the ophthalmic artery, with administration of 7.5mg of melphalan. After 4±1 weeks, they will receive Ru-106 plaque brachytherapy, which will be performed using a 24-mm notched plaque. Due to tumor thickness and the previous IAC, the target dose to the tumor apex shall be as close as possible to 80 Gy, respecting the safety limits regarding the risk of excessive dosage to the tumor base and scleral melting. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age equal to or higher than 18 years
- Diagnosis of choroidal melanoma with a thickness equal to or higher than 8 mm on ultrasound evaluation
- Comprehension and signature of the informed consent
- Adequate pupil dilation and sufficient cooperation to carry out the complementary exams
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Choroidal melanomas with a greatest basal diameter higher than 18mm
- Any clinical condition that impairs fundus documentation or patient follow-up
- Medical or psychological conditions that prevent comprehension and signature of the informed consent
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans of getting pregnant in the next year
- Past medical history of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to melphalan
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Melphalan InjectionAlso: Intra-arterial chemotherapy, Chemoreduction7.5mg of melphalan injected via intra-arterial catheterization of the ophthalmic artery. | Drug | Single Arm |
| Plaque brachytherapyAlso: Radiation therapy, Plaque brachytherapy with Ruthenium-106Brachytherapy will be performed using a 24-mm notched plaque with Ruthenium-106 seeds. | Radiation | Single Arm |
Primary outcome
Determination of treatment safety through electroretinography (ERG)
Time frame: 6 months
Participants will undergo ERG exams at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after the first intervention. The researchers will assess the patterns of ERG waves to determine whether there are signs of retinal toxicity.
5 secondary outcomes
Reduction of Tumor Size
Time frame: 6 months
Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA)
Time frame: 6 months
Signs of intraocular inflammation
Time frame: 6 months
Treatment-related adverse events
Time frame: 6 months
Globe salvage
Time frame: 12 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2025.
- Background: PubMed 28203054Krantz BA, Dave N, Komatsubara KM, Marr BP, Carvajal RD. Uveal melanoma: epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of primary disease. Clin Ophthalmol. 2017 Jan 31;11:279-289. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S89591. eCollection 2017.
- Background: PubMed 32700136Singh M, Durairaj P, Yeung J. Uveal Melanoma: A Review of the Literature. Oncol Ther. 2018 Jun;6(1):87-104. doi: 10.1007/s40487-018-0056-8. Epub 2018 Feb 6.
- Background: PubMed 24373763American Brachytherapy Society - Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force. Electronic address: paulfinger@eyecancer.com; ABS - OOTF Committee. The American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for plaque brachytherapy of uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma. Brachytherapy. 2014 Jan-Feb;13(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2013.11.008. Epub 2013 Dec 24.
- Background: PubMed 33770014Reichstein DA, Brock AL. Radiation therapy for uveal melanoma: a review of treatment methods available in 2021. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2021 May 1;32(3):183-190. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000761.
- Background: PubMed 33152286Parker T, Rigney G, Kallos J, Stefko ST, Kano H, Niranjan A, Green AL, Aziz T, Rath P, Lunsford LD. Gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanomas and metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2020 Nov;21(11):1526-1536. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30459-9.
- Background: PubMed 34944862Marinkovic M, Pors LJ, van den Berg V, Peters FP, Schalenbourg A, Zografos L, Pica A, Hrbacek J, Van Duinen SG, Vu THK, Bleeker JC, Rasch CRN, Jager MJ, Luyten GPM, Horeweg N. Clinical Outcomes after International Referral of Uveal Melanoma Patients for Proton Therapy. Cancers (Basel). 2021 Dec 13;13(24):6241. doi: 10.3390/cancers13246241.
- Background: PubMed 35267502Thariat J, Martel A, Matet A, Loria O, Kodjikian L, Nguyen AM, Rosier L, Herault J, Nahon-Esteve S, Mathis T. Non-Cancer Effects following Ionizing Irradiation Involving the Eye and Orbit. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Feb 25;14(5):1194. doi: 10.3390/cancers14051194.
- Background: PubMed 13583933CREECH O Jr, KREMENTZ ET, RYAN RF, WINBLAD JN. Chemotherapy of cancer: regional perfusion utilizing an extracorporeal circuit. Ann Surg. 1958 Oct;148(4):616-32. doi: 10.1097/00000658-195810000-00009. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 3567896Hansson J, Lewensohn R, Ringborg U, Nilsson B. Formation and removal of DNA cross-links induced by melphalan and nitrogen mustard in relation to drug-induced cytotoxicity in human melanoma cells. Cancer Res. 1987 May 15;47(10):2631-7.
- Background: PubMed 3995475Minor DR, Allen RE, Alberts D, Peng YM, Tardelli G, Hutchinson J. A clinical and pharmacokinetic study of isolated limb perfusion with heat and melphalan for melanoma. Cancer. 1985 Jun 1;55(11):2638-44. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19850601)55:113.0.co;2-e.
- Background: PubMed 26765038Shields CL, Jorge R, Say EA, Magrath G, Alset A, Caywood E, Leahey AM, Jabbour P, Shields JA. Unilateral Retinoblastoma Managed With Intravenous Chemotherapy Versus Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy. Outcomes Based on the International Classification of Retinoblastoma. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2016 Mar-Apr;5(2):97-103. doi: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000172.
- Background: PubMed 29284076Karydis I, Gangi A, Wheater MJ, Choi J, Wilson I, Thomas K, Pearce N, Takhar A, Gupta S, Hardman D, Sileno S, Stedman B, Zager JS, Ottensmeier C. Percutaneous hepatic perfusion with melphalan in uveal melanoma: A safe and effective treatment modality in an orphan disease. J Surg Oncol. 2018 May;117(6):1170-1178. doi: 10.1002/jso.24956. Epub 2017 Dec 28.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All IPD that underlie results in a publication will be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Rodrigo Jorge, MD, PhD principal investigator
Professor of Ophthalmology
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study testing Melphalan Injection and Plaque brachytherapy in people with Uveal Melanoma, run by Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto at 1 site in Brazil.
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 4 inclusion and 5 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: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Brazil. 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 combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Determination of treatment safety through electroretinography (ERG) (time frame: 6 months). 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 NCT05893654, which also lists 14 linked publications.
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 15 Sep 2025.