Clinical trial NCT02339324 (phase 1, status: completed)
Conditions: melanoma
ICD codes: C43.0, C43.31, D03.9, C43.51, C43.9, D03.0, C43.4
Drugs: pembrolizumab and high dose interferon alfa-2b (hdi)
SMILES: CNC(=O)C1=NC=CC(OC2=CC=C(NC(=O)NC3=CC(=C(Cl)C=C3)C(F)(F)F)C=C2)=C1
Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          1. Able to provide written informed consent.

          2. At least 18 years of age.

          3. Melanoma belonging to the following stages:

               -  Tx or T1-4 and

               -  N1b, or N2b, or N2c, or N3 and

               -  M 0

             Pts are eligible for this trial either at presentation for primary melanoma with
             concurrent regional nodal and/or in-transit metastasis, or at the time of clinically
             detected nodal and/or in-transit recurrence and may belong to any of the following
             groups:

               -  Primary melanoma with clinically apparent regional lymph node metastases.

               -  Clinically detected recurrence of melanoma at the proximal regional lymph node(s)
                  basin.

               -  Clinically detected primary melanoma involving multiple regional nodal groups.

               -  Clinically detected single site of nodal metastatic melanoma arising from an
                  unknown primary.

               -  Pts with intransit or satelite metastases with or without lymph node involvement
                  are allowed if they are considered potentially surgically resectable at baseline.

             NOTE: A pt should be determined to be potentially surgically resectable at baseline to
             be eligible for this neoadjuvant study.

          4. Have measurable disease.

          5. Provide tumor tissue from a newly obtained biopsy.

          6. ECOG performance status of 0 or 1.

          7. Adequate organ function.

        Exclusion Criteria:

          1. Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational
             agent or using an investigational device within 4 wks of the first dose of treatment.

          2. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any
             other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial
             treatment.

          3. Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy
             within 2 wks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at
             baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent.

               -  Note: Subjects with ≤ Grade 2 neuropathy are an exception to this criterion and
                  may qualify for the study.

               -  Note: If subject received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from
                  the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting
                  therapy.

          4. Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment.
             Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the
             skin, or in situ cervical cancer that has undergone potentially curative therapy.

          5. Has an active automimmune disease requiring systemic treatment within the past 3
             months or a documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease, or a syndrome
             that requires systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents. Subjects with vitiligo or
             resolved childhood asthma/atopy would be an exception to this rule. Subjects that
             require intermittent use of bronchodilators or local steroid injections would not be
             excluded from the study. Subjects with hypothyroidism stable on hormone replacement or
             Sjorgen's syndrome will not be excluded from the study.

          6. Has evidence of interstitial lung disease or active, non-infectious pneumonitis.

          7. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.

          8. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality
             that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's
             participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of
             the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.

          9. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with
             cooperation with the requirements of the trial.

         10. Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the
             projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit
             through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment.

         11. Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, or
             anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibody (including
             ipilimumab or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation
             or checkpoint pathways). Prior treatment with interferon alfa is allowed. Patients
             with history of allergic or hypersensitivity reaction to interferon alfa are excluded.

         12. Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).

         13. Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA
             [qualitative] is detected).

         14. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.