BRAF/MEK inhibition for in-transit melanoma treatment

Open Label Phase 2 Study Neo-Adjuvant BRAF/MEK Inhibition Followed by Surgery and Adjuvant BRAF/MEK Inhibition in In-transit Melanoma Metastases (NASAM)

Phase 2 Interventional Leiden University Medical Center · NCT05767879

This study is testing a combination of two medications for people with in-transit metastatic melanoma to see if it helps shrink tumors before surgery and improve their chances of staying cancer-free afterward.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment28 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLeiden University Medical Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, binimetinib
Locations1 site (Leiden, Zuid-Holland)
Trial IDNCT05767879 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 2 open-label intervention involves administering encorafenib and binimetinib in a neo-adjuvant setting to patients with in-transit metastatic melanoma, followed by surgery and subsequent adjuvant therapy. The primary goal is to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment based on the pathological response rate, while secondary objectives include assessing local and distant recurrence-free survival, overall survival, and treatment-related toxicity. Patients will undergo complete disease staging and must meet specific health criteria to participate.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with pathologically confirmed in-transit metastatic melanoma and no prior systemic treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with distant metastases or those who have received prior anticancer treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve outcomes for patients with in-transit melanoma by enhancing response rates and survival.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with BRAF/MEK inhibition in melanoma, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age over 18 years old
* World Health Organization (WHO) Performance Status 0 or I
* Primary cutaneous melanoma or unknown primary melanoma with pathologically confirmed in-transit metastatic melanoma
* Patients must have undergone complete disease staging including: PET-CT scan and MRI scan
* Patients must be medically fit to undergo surgery
* Patients must be able to take oral medication
* No prior anticancer systemic treatment (including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, oncolytic viral therapy, other systemic therapies)
* No prior radiotherapy to site of interest (surgical therapy is allowed; in order to obtain pathological information of the melanoma)
* Screening laboratory values must meet the following criteria: WBC ≥ 2.0x109/L, Neutrophils ≥ 1.0x109/L, Platelets ≥ 100 x109/L, Hemoglobin ≥ 6.5 mmol/L, AST ≤ 2.5 x ULN, ALT ≤ 2.5 x ULN, Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 X ULN, INR and PTT in normal range, LDH \< 2xULN. Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN; or calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault formula; or estimated glomerular filtration rate \> 50 mL/min/1.73m2.
* Absence of additional severe and/or uncontrolled concurrent disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of regional lymph node metastases
* Presence of distant metastases
* Current treatment with antiretroviral drugs, herbal remedies and drugs that are strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A and CYP2C8
* Patients with active bacterial infections with systemic manifestations (malaise, fever, leukocytosis) are not eligible until completion of appropriate therapy
* Underlying medical conditions that, in the Investigator's opinion, will make the administration of study treatment hazardous or obscure the interpretation of toxicity determination or adverse events
* History of congestive heart failure, active cardiac conditions, including unstable coronary syndromes (unstable or severe angina, recent myocardial infarction), significant arrhythmias and severe valvular disease must be evaluated for risks of undergoing general anesthesia. Furthermore, enlarged QTc interval, uncontrolled hypertension, poor left ventricular function (\< 50%, as determined by MUGA scan) and recent thromboembolic or cerebral event.
* History of central serous retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion
* Active intestinal disease interfering with oral drug absorption
* Patients who are unable to be temporally removed from chronic anti-coagulation therapy for operation
* (Neo)Adjuvant BRAF/MEKi for pN1c melanoma, version 5, 31 October 2021
* Other malignancy within 2 years prior to entry into the study, except for treated non-melanoma skin cancer and in situ cervical carcinoma
* Patient must not have active hepatitis B, and/or active hepatitis C infection given concerns for drug interactions or increased toxicities. Testing is not required
* Patient must not have any known history of acute or chronic pancreatitis
* Patient must not have any concurrent neuromuscular disorder that is associated with elevated creatine kinase (CK) (e.g., inflammatory myopathies, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy
* Pregnancy or nursing

Where this trial is running

Leiden, Zuid-Holland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Melanoma Stage IIIIn-Transit Metastasis of Cutaneous MelanomaTargeted therapyIn-transitMelanomaNeo-adjuvant
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.