Clinical trial Recruiting at 15 sites Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 to 90

Targeted alpha-particle therapy for advanced melanoma

Official title: A Phase I/IIa, First-In-Human, Multi-Center, Monotherapy and Combination-Therapy With Nivolumab, Dose-Finding and Dose-Expansion Study of [212Pb]VMT01 Melanocortin-1 Receptor-Targeted, Image-Guided Alpha-Particle Therapy in Subjects With Previously Treated Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma

Run by Perspective Therapeutics · NCT05655312 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment for advanced melanoma that uses targeted radiation to see if it can help patients whose cancer can't be surgically removed.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
Enrollment300 (estimated)
SponsorPerspective Therapeutics
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsnivolumab, chemotherapy, radiation, prednisone
Locations16 sites (Orange, California and 15 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 1, 2023
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2029
Registry record updatedOctober 13, 2026
Trial IDNCT05655312 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with unresectable Stage III or IV metastatic melanoma who have previously progressed on at least one approved first-line therapy.

Probably not a fit

Patients with resectable melanoma or those who have not progressed on first-line therapies may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of a novel alpha-particle emitting therapeutic agent, [212Pb]VMT01, which targets the melanocortin sub-type 1 receptor (MC1R) in patients with unresectable and metastatic melanoma. The study is structured in three parts: a monotherapy dose-escalation phase to determine the maximum tolerated dose, a combination therapy phase with Nivolumab, and a dose expansion phase for further clinical development. Up to 264 subjects with confirmed melanoma and positive MC1R imaging will be enrolled to assess the therapeutic potential of this targeted approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new targeted therapy option for patients with advanced melanoma, potentially improving outcomes and survival rates.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with targeted alpha-particle therapies, but this specific approach is novel and represents an untested combination.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Ability to understand and willingness to provide informed consent, willingness to comply with all study procedures for the duration of the study
* Aged ≥ 18 years
* Diagnosed with unresectable Stage III or Stage IV metastatic or recurrent melanoma
* Previously progressed (radiological progression) on at least one approved systemic therapy for advanced melanoma
* Uptake of \[68Ga\]VMT02 or \[203Pb\]VMT01 by PET or SPECT imaging observed in at least one melanoma tumor site using quantitative imaging analysis compared to reference normal tissue
* Subjects on prior intravenous therapy (e.g., chemotherapy or checkpoint inhibitors), or prior oral therapy (e.g.,proto-oncogene B-RAF or mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitors) who demonstrate MC1R positivity during screening are eligible for enrollment, provided that they undergo a wash-out period of 21 days, or 7 days, respectively, prior to Cycle 1 Day 1 treatment with \[212Pb\]VMT01.
* Presence of measurable disease by RECIST v1.1 assessed within 45 days prior to the first dose of \[212Pb\]VMT01 on Cycle 1 Day 1
* Ability to lie flat and still for up to two hours for imaging scans; moderate conscious sedation allowed if indicated
* For females of reproductive potential: agree to use of highly effective contraception and refrain from donating eggs (ova, oocytes) for the purpose of reproduction starting from screening, during treatment with \[212Pb\]VMT01 and/or nivolumab, and for at least 6 months after the last dose of \[212Pb\]VMT01 and/or nivolumab, whichever is administered last
* For males of reproductive potential: agree to use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception and refrain from donating sperm starting from screening, during treatment with \[212Pb\]VMT01 and/or nivolumab, and for at least 6 months after the last dose of \[212Pb\]VMT01 and/or nivolumab, whichever is administered last
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of \< 2 at Screening
* Life expectancy of at least 3 months after Cycle 1 Day 1
* Satisfactory organ function determined by laboratory testing

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active secondary malignancy
* Prior systematic treatment with radioactive nuclides. Subjects who had localized treatment with radioactive nuclides or imaging using radioactive imaging agents may be enrolled
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding a child
* Any serious/active/uncontrolled infection requiring parenteral antibiotics within 2 weeks before the first administration of \[212Pb\]VMT01
* Febrile illness within 48 hours of any scheduled investigational product (\[212Pb\]VMT01, \[203Pb\]VMT01, or \[68Ga\]VMT02) administration; subjects should be rescheduled \> 48 hours after resolution of fever
* Treatment with another investigational drug product (therapeutic IND agents) within the last 45 days before the first dose of \[212Pb\]VMT01 on C1D1.
* Current abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs
* Existence of any medical or social issues likely to interfere with study conductor that may cause increased risk to the subject or to others, e.g., lack of ability to follow radiation safety precautions

Additional exclusion criteria for subjects who will receive combination therapy with nivolumab:

* Untreated central nervous system (CNS) metastasis or metastasis requiring acute therapy of any modality. Subjects must have been either off corticosteroids, or on a stable or decreasing dose of prednisone (or equivalent) for at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of \[212Pb\]VMT01
* Subjects with an active, known, or suspected autoimmune disease
* Subjects with a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications
* Acute or chronic hepatitis B (e.g., Hepatitis B surface antigen reactive), hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA \[qualitative\] is detected) or known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
* Treatment with complementary medications (e.g., herbal supplements or traditional Chinese medicines)
* Existence of abnormal laboratory values in hematology, liver, and renal function
* Treatment with any live/attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of \[212Pb\]VMT01
* Any treatment-related toxicities from prior systemic immune therapy with the exception of those unlikely to re-occur with standard countermeasures
* History of allergy or hypersensitivity to nivolumab or its components

Where it's running

  • University of California Irvine
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mayo Clinic
    Jacksonville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Miami
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sarasota Memorial Hospital
    Sarasota, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Iowa
    Iowa City, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kentucky
    Lexington, Kentucky, United States
    Recruiting
Show 10 more locations
  • M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mayo Clinic Rochester
    Rochester, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting
  • Saint Louis University Hospital
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Washington University of St. Louis
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Nebraska Cancer Specialists
    Omaha, Nebraska, United States
    Recruiting
  • UNC Hospitals, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
    Cleveland, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center
    Madison, Wisconsin, United States
    Active not recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.