Intratumoral PH-762 treatment for skin cancers

Dose Escalation Study of Neoadjuvant Intratumoral PH-762 for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma, or Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Phase 1 Interventional Phio Pharmaceuticals Inc. · NCT06014086

This study is testing if a new injection called PH-762 can help people with certain skin cancers by making their tumors smaller and improving the results of surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorPhio Pharmaceuticals Inc. Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations5 sites (Gilbert, Arizona and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06014086 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the safety and tolerability of intratumoral injections of PH-762, an RNAi molecule targeting PD-1, in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, or Merkel cell carcinoma. Participants will receive four weekly injections into a single tumor, followed by surgical removal of the tumor approximately two weeks later. The study aims to understand the body's response to PH-762 and the tumor's reaction to the treatment, potentially enhancing surgical outcomes and reducing tumor size. This approach utilizes the tumor as a 'self-vaccine' to stimulate an anti-tumor immune response.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with histologically confirmed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, or Merkel cell carcinoma, particularly those with Stage II or lower tumors or metastatic disease that has progressed after prior therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced-stage tumors that are not amenable to surgical resection or those who have not previously undergone checkpoint inhibitor therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could improve surgical outcomes and reduce tumor size in patients with specific skin cancers.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing intratumoral immunotherapy approaches have shown promise, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Key Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), melanoma, or Merkel cell carcinoma, meeting one of the following criteria:

  * cSCC, resectable local tumors: must be Stage II or lower, amenable to curative resection and in a location where acceptable surgical margins are anticipated
  * cSCC, unresectable local tumors: must be Stage II or lower, tumor has been unresponsive to prior radiation therapy or is not a candidate for curative radiation therapy
  * cSCC, metastatic disease: disease has progressed during or following prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy (anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody)
  * Melanoma, metastatic disease: Stage IV disease with a cutaneous lesion that has progressed during or following checkpoint inhibitor therapy (anti-PD-1/-PD-L1), and if BRAF-mutation is present, has progressed during or following prior treatment with anti-BRAF + MEK therapy
  * Merkel cell carcinoma, metastatic disease: Stage IV disease with a cutaneous lesion that has progressed during or following checkpoint inhibitor therapy (anti-PD-1/PD-L1)
* A minimum of one tumor of ≥ 1.0 cm and \< 3.0 cm in longest dimension that is accessible (with or without imaging guidance) for intratumoral injection and for biopsy and surgical excision must be present. The tumor is not necrotic, hemorrhagic, or friable, and is not within 2 cm of the eye or within 0.5 cm of or on the lip (including the vermilion border) and is not in a mucosal or visceral location.

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* Other malignancy within prior 3 years, with certain exceptions.
* Current cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or biologic therapy.
* Any serious or uncontrolled medical disorder including auto-immune disease that may increase the risk associated with study participation or study drug administration, or interfere with the interpretation of study results.
* Females who are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Where this trial is running

Gilbert, Arizona and 4 other locations

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 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the SkinMalignant Melanoma of SkinMerkel Cell Carcinoma of Skin
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.