2 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This phase I pilot trial studies the side effects of stereotactic radiosurgery and nivolumab in treating patients with newly diagnosed melanoma that has spread to the brain or spine. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a specialized radiation therapy that delivers a single, high dose of radiation directly to the tumor to more precisely target the cancer. Monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving stereotactic radiosurgery together with nivolumab may be a better treatment for melanoma.
This research is being done to look at the safety of using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and Ipilimumab together to treat melanoma that has spread to the brain or spine. Both Ipilimumab and SRS are used alone for the treatment of melanoma that has spread. Standard of care uses both of these treatments but not together. By using them together, we expect better treatment of melanoma, but there might be an increase in side effects. "Ipilimumab" is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of melanoma that has spread throughout the body. It works by activating your immune system to fight off cancer. "Stereotactic radiosurgery" (SRS) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of melanoma in the brain or spine. It uses radiation to treat tumors without needing to cut or use stitches. The use of combining SRS and Ipilimumab in this research study is investigational. The word "investigational" means that this combination is not approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration but is allowed for use in this research study.