Uveal melanoma is a rare cancer inside the eye, about 2,500 cases a year in the US. The eye tumor is usually controlled with radiation, but about half of people later develop spread, mostly to the liver. Tebentafusp extended survival for some; new targeted pills and eye-sparing treatments are close.
- 67studies open or running
- 9phase 3 trials
- 409papers published this year
- 26NIH-funded projects
-
Now
Nov 2026
Tebentafusp doubles 5-year survivalHappened 16% alive at 5 years
For people with the HLA-A*02:01 tissue type, 16% were alive at 5 years vs 8%.
16%: alive at 5 years with tebentafusp, vs 8%.
Liver-directed chemotherapyHappened 36.3% tumors shrank
Melphalan delivered straight to the liver shrank tumors in 36.3%.
36.3%: of tumors shrank.
-
6 months
by May 2027
FDA review of darovasertib plus crizotinibLikely 37.1% tumors shrank
Tumors shrank in 37.1% vs 5.8%; a filing was planned for late 2026.
37.1%: of tumors shrank, vs 5.8% with doctor's choice.
-
12 months
by Nov 2027
First drug for people without HLA-A*02:01Possible 37.1% tumors shrank
If approved, darovasertib plus crizotinib would fill the gap for the half who cannot get tebentafusp.
37.1%: of tumors shrank, vs 5.8% with doctor's choice.
Light-activated drug for small eye tumorsPossible
Aura's 108-person phase 3 of bel-sar, aimed at preserving vision, finishes November 2027.
-
3 years
by late 2029
Pills before eye treatment to save visionPossible
A 520-person phase 3 tests darovasertib to shrink tumors before radiation or eye removal.
Virus therapy with immunotherapyLong shot
Replimune's RP2 with nivolumab is in a 280-person phase 2/3 trial.
-
5 years
by late 2031
Preventing spread after eye treatmentPossible
Trials of tebentafusp and of darovasertib with crizotinib after eye treatment aim to stop spread before it shows.
The research paths
Targeted pills (PKC blockers)
37.1% tumors shrankDetails and 2 trialsHide
Darovasertib targets the GNAQ/GNA11 pathway driving most uveal melanomas.
WatchFDA decision; use before and after eye treatment.
Immune drugs
16% alive at 5 yearsDetails and 2 trialsHide
Tebentafusp works; trials test it earlier and add virus therapies.
WatchATOM adjuvant results.
Saving the eye
Details and 1 trialsHide
Light-activated drugs and pills before radiation aim to keep vision.
WatchCoMpass phase 3 results.
Borrowed from other cancers
From Lung cancer (ALK and ROS1)
Crizotinib
Phase 3 positive
A targeted lung cancer pill paired with darovasertib.
From Skin melanoma
Nivolumab and ipilimumab
In use
Immunotherapy that works far less often in eye melanoma than skin melanoma.
Open to join now
-
New eye tumor
Darovasertib before eye treatment
Locations and eligibility → -
High-risk eye tumor
Darovasertib and crizotinib after eye treatment
Locations and eligibility → -
Metastatic
RP2 virus with nivolumab
Locations and eligibility → -
High risk, HLA-A*02:01, Europe
Tebentafusp after eye treatment
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting Uveal melanoma trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Biology Targeting the Gq pathway that drives uveal melanomaUC San Diego · NIH Funded through Aug 2027 News likely 2027–2028
- Diagnosis Eye-fluid test to detect and track tumorsOlmeda Biosciences · NIH Funded through Jul 2028 News likely 2028+
What just happened
OptimUM-02: darovasertib plus crizotinib
Tumors shrank in 37.1% vs 5.8%.
Tebentafusp 5-year survival 16% vs 8%
Annals of Oncology.
Standard treatment today
- Eye tumorPlaque radiation or proton beam; eye removal for large tumors. Gene testing of the tumor predicts risk of spread.
- Spread, HLA-A*02:01 positiveTebentafusp.
- Spread, HLA-A*02:01 negativeImmunotherapy, liver-directed treatment, or a clinical trial.
- Spread mainly to the liverLiver perfusion with melphalan, surgery or other liver-directed treatment.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Approval timing for darovasertib depends on FDA review; check news for the latest status.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See Uveal melanoma trials recruiting now →