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CompletedNCT01659151Updated Feb 20, 2026Results posted

Vemurafenib With Lymphodepletion Plus Adoptive Cell Transfer & High Dose IL-2 Metastatic Melanoma

A Phase 2 interventional study of High Dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and ACT with TIL Infusion in Metastatic Melanoma, sponsored by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-20.

Sponsored by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
17
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to find out more about the effects of an investigational combination of medicines, which includes special immune cells (T-cells).

A T-cell is a type of lymphocyte, or white blood cell. Lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cell that protect the body from viral infections, help other cells fight bacterial and fungal infections, produce antibodies, fight cancers, and coordinate the activities of other cells in the immune system.

Read the detailed description

In this study, these special immune T-cells will be taken from a sample of the participant's tumor tissue that will be surgically removed. Certain parts of these cells will be multiplied, or grown, in the laboratory. They will then be given back to the patient by an infusion in their veins. These cells are called tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). The investigators want to study the benefits and side effects of TIL when they are given with the following combination of drugs:

  • Vemurafenib - a type of drug used to slow the growth of certain types of cancer cells. This drug will be given for about three weeks while T-cells are being grown in the lab and then again after T-cell infusion for up to two years.
  • Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide - two types of chemotherapy drugs. These drugs will be used for what is called lymphodepletion. The purpose of lymphodepletion in this study is to temporarily reduce the number of normal lymphocytes circulating in the patient's body before they are given the T-cells that were grown in the lab. This is so that there will be more "space" for the lymphocytes (T-cells) that will be infused in their veins.
  • Interleukin-2 (IL-2) - a drug used to help the body's response to treatment on the immune system. A high dose regimen of IL-2 will be given after they receive the infusion of the T-cells.

The use of TIL is investigational, meaning it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vemurafenib and IL-2 have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and melanoma that cannot be surgically removed. The chemotherapy drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, used for lymphodepletion, have been approved by the FDA, but not for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

The combination of vemurafenib followed by lymphodepletion with chemotherapy, TIL infusion, and high dose IL-2 is investigational, and has not been proven to help treat melanoma. This combination is not FDA approved; however, the FDA is allowing its use in this study.

02

Conditions studied

  • Metastatic Melanoma

Keywords

  • metastatic
  • melanoma
  • cell transfer
  • ACT
  • T-cell
  • immunotherapy
  • antibodies
  • lymphocytes
03

In context

Melanoma

3,006 studies on the registry are indexed under Melanoma; 519 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 17 is below the median of 38 across 2,350 interventional studies indexed under Melanoma.

Browse Melanoma studies →

Lead sponsor

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute is the lead sponsor of 533 studies on the registry; 74 are open to participants now.

Of its 99 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 57 (58%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Must have unresectable metastatic stage IV melanoma or stage III intransit or regional nodal disease and in the opinion of the PI or treating Coinvestigator is an acceptable candidate for adoptive cell transfer (ACT).
  • Residual measurable disease after resection of target lesion(s) for TIL growth
  • Tumor must have a B-RAF V600E, D or K mutation by pyrosequencing, Cobas assay, or equivalent (43)
  • Clinical performance status of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 - 1. ECOG performance status of 0-1 will be inferred if the patient's level of energy is ≥ 50% of baseline.
  • May be treatment-naïve or may have been previously treated for metastatic disease.
  • Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days of starting Vemurafenib.
  • Adequate renal, hepatic and hematologic function, including creatinine of less than or equal to 1.7 gm/dL, total bilirubin less than or equal to 2.0 mg/dL, except in patients with Gilbert's Syndrome who must have a total bilirubin less than 3.0 mg/dL, aspartic transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) of less than 3X institutional upper limit of normal, hemoglobin of 8 gm/dL or more, white blood count (WBC) of 3000 per mcL and total granulocytes of 1000 per mcL or more, and platelets of 100,000 per mcL or more.
  • Must have a positive screening Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antibody titre on screening test
  • Patients with antibiotic allergies per se are not excluded; although the production of TIL for adoptive transfer includes antibiotics, extensive washing after harvest will minimize systemic exposure to antibiotics.
  • At screening, patients with ≤ 3 untreated CNS metastases may be included provided none of the untreated lesions are > 1 cm in greatest dimension, and there is no peri-tumoral edema present on brain imaging (MRI or CT if MRI is contraindicated).
  • At screening, patients with ≤ 3 treated central nervous system (CNS) metastases treated with either surgical resection and/or radiation therapy may be included. Patients may be included if the largest lesion is ≤ 1 cm, and there is no evidence of progressive CNS disease on brain imaging at least 28 days after treatment.
  • At screening, may be included if the largest lesion is > 1 cm or > 3 in number, and there is no evidence of progressive CNS disease on brain imaging at least 90 days after treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy.
  • At screening, must have no known history of congenital long QT syndrome and must have a corrected mean QTc interval ≤ 450 msec at baseline.
  • No evidence of ongoing cardiac dysrhythmia ≥ grade 2, NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0
  • All laboratory and imaging studies must be completed and satisfactory within 30 days of signing the consent document, with the exceptions of: negative serum pregnancy test for WOCBP must be negative within 7 days of starting Vemurafenib, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing which will not be repeated if performed previously, and pulmonary function tests/cardiac stress tests whose results are valid for 6 months if performed previously.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with active systemic infections requiring intravenous antibiotics, coagulation disorders or other major medical illness of the cardiovascular, respiratory or immune system, which in the opinion of the principal investigator (PI) or treating co-investigator is not acceptable risk for ACT, are excluded.
  • Patients testing positive for HIV titre, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis B core antibody, Hepatitis C antibody, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type (HTLV) I or II antibody, or both rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and fluorescent treponemal antibodies (FTA) positive
  • Patients who are pregnant or nursing
  • Patients needing chronic, immunosuppressive systemic steroids are excluded
  • Patients with autoimmune diseases that require immunosuppressive medications
  • Presence of a significant psychiatric disease, which in the opinion of the principal investigator or his designee, would prevent adequate informed consent or render immunotherapy unsafe or contraindicated
  • Patients with > 3 untreated CNS metastases or evidence of peri-tumoral edema
  • Patients with ≤ 3 untreated CNS metastases but with at least one lesion >1 cm or peri-tumoral edema
  • Patients with congenital long QT syndrome
  • Patients with invasive malignancy other than melanoma at the time of enrollment and within 2 years prior to the first Vemurafenib administration are excluded, except for adequately treated (with curative intent) basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ carcinoma of the cervix, in situ ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast, in situ prostate cancer, or limited stage bladder cancer or other cancers from which the patient has been disease-free for at least 2 years.
  • Unable to swallow pills
  • Patients with treated CNS metastases > 1 cm or > 3 in number will be excluded if there is evidence of progressive CNS disease on brain imaging at least 90 days after treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy.
  • Unable to comprehend and give informed consent
  • Previous BRAF inhibitor treatment
  • Male patients with female partners of childbearing potential who do not agree to use 2 FDA-accepted forms of contraception during sexual intercourse with women of child-bearing potential from the start of Vemurafenib and up to at least 6 months after discontinuing Vemurafenib
  • WOCBP who do not agree to use 2 FDA forms of contraception during sexual intercourse from the start of Vemurafenib and up to at least 6 months after discontinuing Vemurafenib
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Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
17 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Combination Therapy

    Combination Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy. The combination of vemurafenib followed by lymphodepletion with chemotherapy, Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) with Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) infusion, and High Dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2).

    Drug: High Dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) · Procedure: ACT with TIL Infusion · Drug: Vemurafenib · Drug: Lymphodepletion

Interventions

  • DrugHigh Dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2)

    A high dose regimen of IL-2 will be given after participants receive the infusion of the T-cells.

    Also known as: aldesleukin, Proleukin

  • ProcedureACT with TIL Infusion

    Special immune T-cells will be taken from a sample of the participant's tumor tissue that will be surgically removed. Certain parts of these cells will be multiplied, or grown, in the laboratory. They will then be given back to the participant by an infusion in their veins. These cells are called tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL).

  • DrugVemurafenib

    Vemurafenib is used to slow the growth of certain types of cancer cells. This drug will be given for about 3 weeks while T-cells are being grown in the lab and then again after T-cell infusion for up to 2 years.

    Also known as: Zelboraf, B-Raf enzyme inhibitor

  • DrugLymphodepletion

    The purpose of lymphodepletion in this study is to temporarily reduce the number of normal lymphocytes circulating in the participant's body before they are given the T-cells that were grown in the lab. This is so that there will be more "space" for the lymphocytes (T-cells) that will be infused in their veins. Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, 2 types of chemotherapy drugs will be used for what is called lymphodepletion.

    Also known as: fludarabine, Fludara, cyclophosphamide, Neostar, Cytoxan

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants With Overall Response (OR)

    Overall response (OR) is defined as the patient being alive at month 12, and tumor size evaluated at screening and at month 12 using the RECIST 1.1 criteria to be a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). Evaluations will be made by CT scan approximately 12 months from the date of tumor harvest, and by clinical evaluation during the first 12 months

    Time frame: 12 Months

  2. Percentage of Participant Drop Out Rate

    The percentage of participants who drop out due to progression between the time of harvest and TIL transfer (i.e., the "drop-out rate").

    Time frame: Up to 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)

    Progression-free survival (PFS), defined as the time from study entry to disease progression, relapse or death due to any cause, whichever is earlier, will be summarized with the Kaplan-Meier curve. Confidence intervals for the median and survival rates at different time points will be constructed if needed and appropriate. This secondary endpoint will be reported descriptively.

    Time frame: 12 months

07

Results

Posted Feb 3, 2022

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneCombination Therapy
Started17
Completed16
Not completed1
Withdrew: Inadequate til growth1

Outcome measures

PrimaryPercentage of Participants With Overall Response (OR)

Overall response (OR) is defined as the patient being alive at month 12, and tumor size evaluated at screening and at month 12 using the RECIST 1.1 criteria to be a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). Evaluations will be made by CT scan approximately 12 months from the date of tumor harvest, and by clinical evaluation during the first 12 months

Time frame:
12 Months
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants With Overall Response (OR)
percentage of participantsCombination Therapy
Percentage of Participants With Overall Response (OR)38
PrimaryPercentage of Participant Drop Out Rate

The percentage of participants who drop out due to progression between the time of harvest and TIL transfer (i.e., the "drop-out rate").

Time frame:
Up to 12 months
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participant Drop Out Rate
percentage of participantsCombination Therapy
Percentage of Participant Drop Out Rate6
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)

Progression-free survival (PFS), defined as the time from study entry to disease progression, relapse or death due to any cause, whichever is earlier, will be summarized with the Kaplan-Meier curve. Confidence intervals for the median and survival rates at different time points will be constructed if needed and appropriate. This secondary endpoint will be reported descriptively.

Time frame:
12 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)
ParticipantsCombination Therapy
Number of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)7

Adverse events

Collected over 6 months after end of last treatment, an average of 17 months. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Combination Therapy4/17 (23.5%)13/17 (76.5%)17/17 (100%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 18
Most frequent serious events
EventCombination Therapy
Treatment related secondary malignancyNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)5/17
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) - Other, specifyNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)5/17
Intracranial HemorrhageNervous system disorders2/17
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders2/17
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders2/17
Pleural effusionRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/17
ArthralgiaMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/17
Wound infectionInfections and infestations1/17
Neck painMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/17
Wound complicationInjury, poisoning and procedural complications1/17
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 176
Most frequent other events
EventCombination Therapy
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders16/17
ChillsGeneral disorders16/17
FatigueGeneral disorders16/17
Lymphocyte count decreasedInvestigations16/17
Neutrophil count decreasedInvestigations16/17
Platelet count decreasedInvestigations16/17
HypoalbuminemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders16/17
AnemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders16/17
White blood cell decreasedInvestigations15/17
HypophosphatemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders15/17

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Combination Therapy
<=18 years0
Between 18 and 65 years15
>=65 years2
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Combination Therapy
Female7
Male10
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Combination Therapy
Hispanic or Latino1
Not Hispanic or Latino16
Unknown or Not Reported0
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Combination Therapy
American Indian or Alaska Native0
Asian0
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
Black or African American0
White17
More than one race0
Unknown or Not Reported0
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Combination Therapy
United States17
08

Study locations

1 site
  • H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
    Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
09

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Jun 25, 2017

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 20, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01659151
Lead sponsor
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 7, 2012
Start date
Aug 3, 2012
Primary completion
Oct 6, 2021
Completion
Aug 19, 2025
Results posted
Feb 3, 2022
Last update
Feb 20, 2026

Study contacts

Amod Sarnaik, M.D.
principal investigator · H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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