A Study Evaluating Whether Pembrolizumab Alone or in Combination With CMP-001 Improves Efficacy in Patients With Operable Melanoma

Phase II Randomized Study of Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab Alone or in Combination With CMP-001 in Patients With Operable Melanoma: Efficacy and Biomarker Study

This phase II trial studies the effect of pembrolizumab alone or in combination with CMP-001 in treating patients with melanoma that can be treated by surgery (operable). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Immunotherapy with CMP-001 may induce changes in body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. The addition of CMP-001 to pembrolizumab could improve the ability of the immune system to shrink tumors and to prevent them from returning.

Study Overview

• Status: Suspended
• Conditions: Clinical Stage III Cutaneous Melanoma AJCC v8; Melanoma of Unknown Primary; Pathologic Stage IIIB Cutaneous Melanoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIIC Cutaneous Melanoma AJCC v8; Pathologic Stage IIID Cutaneous Melanoma AJCC v8; Recurrent Cutaneous Melanoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Biological: Pembrolizumab; Procedure: Surgical Procedure; Drug: VLP-encapsulated TLR9 Agonist CMP-001; Procedure: Biopsy; Procedure: Positron Emission Tomography; Procedure: Computed Tomography

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate the rate of pathologic complete response (pCR) rate in patients in each arm.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the rate of pathologic near-complete/major response (pMR) of the neoadjuvant therapy in each arm.

II. To evaluate the pathologic response rate of un-injected lesions on the combination arm (Arm B).

III. To evaluate relapse-free survival (RFS) in each arm. IV. To evaluate overall survival (OS) in each arm. V. To evaluate the preoperative radiographic response rate in each arm. VI. To evaluate safety and toxicity of neoadjuvant therapy in each arm.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM A:

NEOADJUVANT PHASE: Patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 3 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

SURGERY: Patients undergo surgery 1-2 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant phase.

ADJUVANT PHASE: After recovery from surgery, patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of every other cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 16 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Patients also undergo computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT throughout the trial and may undergo optional biopsy at baseline and disease progression and optional collection of blood samples throughout the trial.

ARM B:

NEOADJUVANT PHASE: Patients receive VLP-encapsulated TLR9 agonist CMP-001 (CMP-001) subcutaneously (SC) on day 1 of cycle 1 and then intratumorally on days 8 and 15 of cycle 1, days 1, 8, and 15 of cycle 2, and day 1 of cycle 3. Patients also receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 8 of each cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 3 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

SURGERY: Patients undergo surgery 1-2 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant phase.

ADJUVANT PHASE: After recovery from surgery, patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of every other cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 16 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Patients also undergo CT or PET/CT throughout the trial and may undergo optional biopsy at baseline and disease progression and optional collection of blood samples throughout the trial.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 30 days and then every 3 months if < 2 years from study entry, every 6 months if 2-5 years from study entry, and every 12 months if > 5 years from study entry for up to 10 years (15 years total follow up).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Alaska
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 98508
      • Anchorage Associates in Radiation Medicine
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Alaska Breast Care and Surgery LLC
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Alaska Oncology and Hematology LLC
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Alaska Women's Cancer Care
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Anchorage Oncology Centre
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Katmai Oncology Group
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Providence Alaska Medical Center
    • Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, 99701
      • Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
  • Arizona
    • Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85719
      • Banner University Medical Center - Tucson
    • Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85719
      • University of Arizona Cancer Center-North Campus
  • Arkansas
    • Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States, 72903
      • Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
  • California
    • Burbank, California, United States, 91505
      • Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center/Disney Family Cancer Center
    • Dublin, California, United States, 94568
      • Epic Care-Dublin
    • Emeryville, California, United States, 94608
      • Bay Area Breast Surgeons Inc
    • Emeryville, California, United States, 94608
      • Epic Care Partners in Cancer Care
    • Martinez, California, United States, 94553-3156
      • Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
    • Oakland, California, United States, 94609
      • Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus
    • Oakland, California, United States, 94609
      • Bay Area Tumor Institute
    • Orange, California, United States, 92868
      • UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
    • Orange, California, United States, 92868
      • Saint Joseph Hospital - Orange
    • Walnut Creek, California, United States, 94597
      • Epic Care Cyberknife Center
  • Colorado
    • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80012
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Aurora
    • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80012
      • The Medical Center of Aurora
    • Boulder, Colorado, United States, 80304
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Boulder
    • Centennial, Colorado, United States, 80112
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers - Centennial
    • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80218
      • Presbyterian - Saint Lukes Medical Center - Health One
    • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80218
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Midtown
    • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80220
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Rose
    • Englewood, Colorado, United States, 80113
      • Mountain Blue Cancer Care Center - Swedish
    • Englewood, Colorado, United States, 80113
      • Swedish Medical Center
    • Englewood, Colorado, United States, 80113
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers - Swedish
    • Englewood, Colorado, United States, 80113
      • The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Institute
    • Greeley, Colorado, United States, 80631
      • North Colorado Medical Center
    • Littleton, Colorado, United States, 80120
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Littleton
    • Lone Tree, Colorado, United States, 80124
      • Sky Ridge Medical Center
    • Lone Tree, Colorado, United States, 80124
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Sky Ridge
    • Loveland, Colorado, United States, 80539
      • McKee Medical Center
    • Thornton, Colorado, United States, 80260
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Thornton
  • Florida
    • Aventura, Florida, United States, 33180
      • UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Aventura
    • Coral Gables, Florida, United States, 33146
      • UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Coral Gables
    • Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States, 33442
      • UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Deerfield Beach
    • Miami, Florida, United States, 33136
      • University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Sylvester Cancer Center
    • Plantation, Florida, United States, 33324
      • UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Plantation
  • Idaho
    • Boise, Idaho, United States, 83712
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Boise
    • Fruitland, Idaho, United States, 83619
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Fruitland
    • Meridian, Idaho, United States, 83642
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Meridian
    • Nampa, Idaho, United States, 83686
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Nampa
    • Twin Falls, Idaho, United States, 83301
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Twin Falls
  • Illinois
    • Bloomington, Illinois, United States, 61704
      • Illinois CancerCare-Bloomington
    • Canton, Illinois, United States, 61520
      • Illinois CancerCare-Canton
    • Carbondale, Illinois, United States, 62902
      • Memorial Hospital of Carbondale
    • Carterville, Illinois, United States, 62918
      • SIH Cancer Institute
    • Carthage, Illinois, United States, 62321
      • Illinois CancerCare-Carthage
    • Centralia, Illinois, United States, 62801
      • Centralia Oncology Clinic
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60612
      • University of Illinois
    • Decatur, Illinois, United States, 62526
      • Decatur Memorial Hospital
    • Decatur, Illinois, United States, 62526
      • Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois - Decatur
    • Dixon, Illinois, United States, 61021
      • Illinois CancerCare-Dixon
    • Effingham, Illinois, United States, 62401
      • Crossroads Cancer Center
    • Eureka, Illinois, United States, 61530
      • Illinois CancerCare-Eureka
    • Galesburg, Illinois, United States, 61401
      • Western Illinois Cancer Treatment Center
    • Galesburg, Illinois, United States, 61401
      • Illinois CancerCare-Galesburg
    • Kewanee, Illinois, United States, 61443
      • Illinois CancerCare-Kewanee Clinic
    • Macomb, Illinois, United States, 61455
      • Illinois CancerCare-Macomb
    • Mount Vernon, Illinois, United States, 62864
      • Good Samaritan Regional Health Center
    • O'Fallon, Illinois, United States, 62269
      • Cancer Care Center of O'Fallon
    • Ottawa, Illinois, United States, 61350
      • Illinois CancerCare-Ottawa Clinic
    • Pekin, Illinois, United States, 61554
      • Illinois CancerCare-Pekin
    • Peoria, Illinois, United States, 61636
      • Methodist Medical Center of Illinois
    • Peoria, Illinois, United States, 61615
      • Illinois CancerCare-Peoria
    • Peru, Illinois, United States, 61354
      • Illinois CancerCare-Peru
    • Peru, Illinois, United States, 61354
      • Valley Radiation Oncology
    • Princeton, Illinois, United States, 61356
      • Illinois CancerCare-Princeton
    • Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62781
      • Memorial Medical Center
    • Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62702
      • Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
    • Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62702
      • Springfield Clinic
    • Washington, Illinois, United States, 61571
      • Illinois CancerCare - Washington
  • Indiana
    • Richmond, Indiana, United States, 47374
      • Reid Health
  • Iowa
    • Ames, Iowa, United States, 50010
      • Mary Greeley Medical Center
    • Ames, Iowa, United States, 50010
      • McFarland Clinic - Ames
    • Boone, Iowa, United States, 50036
      • McFarland Clinic - Boone
    • Fort Dodge, Iowa, United States, 50501
      • McFarland Clinic - Trinity Cancer Center
    • Jefferson, Iowa, United States, 50129
      • McFarland Clinic - Jefferson
    • Marshalltown, Iowa, United States, 50158
      • McFarland Clinic - Marshalltown
  • Kansas
    • Garden City, Kansas, United States, 67846
      • Central Care Cancer Center - Garden City
    • Great Bend, Kansas, United States, 67530
      • Central Care Cancer Center - Great Bend
  • Louisiana
    • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70809
      • Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates LLC
    • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70809
      • Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
    • Houma, Louisiana, United States, 70360
      • Terrebonne General Medical Center
  • Michigan
    • Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, 49017
      • Bronson Battle Creek
    • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
      • Spectrum Health at Butterworth Campus
    • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
      • Helen DeVos Children's Hospital at Spectrum Health
    • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
      • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
    • Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, 49007
      • West Michigan Cancer Center
    • Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, 49007
      • Bronson Methodist Hospital
    • Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, 49048
      • Borgess Medical Center
    • Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, 49009
      • Ascension Borgess Cancer Center
    • Muskegon, Michigan, United States, 49444
      • Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital
    • Niles, Michigan, United States, 49120
      • Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals - Niles Hospital
    • Norton Shores, Michigan, United States, 49444
      • Cancer and Hematology Centers of Western Michigan - Norton Shores
    • Reed City, Michigan, United States, 49677
      • Corewell Health Reed City Hospital
    • Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States, 49085
      • Lakeland Medical Center Saint Joseph
    • Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States, 49085
      • Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals - Marie Yeager Cancer Center
    • Traverse City, Michigan, United States, 49684
      • Munson Medical Center
    • Wyoming, Michigan, United States, 49519
      • University of Michigan Health - West
  • Missouri
    • Ballwin, Missouri, United States, 63011
      • Saint Louis Cancer and Breast Institute-Ballwin
    • Bolivar, Missouri, United States, 65613
      • Central Care Cancer Center - Bolivar
    • Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States, 63703
      • Saint Francis Medical Center
    • Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States, 63703
      • Southeast Cancer Center
    • Farmington, Missouri, United States, 63640
      • Parkland Health Center - Farmington
    • Jefferson City, Missouri, United States, 65109
      • Capital Region Southwest Campus
    • Joplin, Missouri, United States, 64804
      • Freeman Health System
    • Joplin, Missouri, United States, 64804
      • Mercy Hospital Joplin
    • Rolla, Missouri, United States, 65401
      • Delbert Day Cancer Institute at PCRMC
    • Rolla, Missouri, United States, 65401
      • Mercy Clinic-Rolla-Cancer and Hematology
    • Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States, 64506
      • Heartland Regional Medical Center
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63131
      • Missouri Baptist Medical Center
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63141
      • Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63128
      • Mercy Hospital South
    • Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, United States, 63670
      • Sainte Genevieve County Memorial Hospital
    • Springfield, Missouri, United States, 65807
      • CoxHealth South Hospital
    • Springfield, Missouri, United States, 65804
      • Mercy Hospital Springfield
    • Sullivan, Missouri, United States, 63080
      • Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital
    • Sunset Hills, Missouri, United States, 63127
      • BJC Outpatient Center at Sunset Hills
  • Montana
    • Missoula, Montana, United States, 59802
      • Saint Patrick Hospital - Community Hospital
  • Ohio
    • Beavercreek, Ohio, United States, 45431
      • Indu and Raj Soin Medical Center
    • Centerville, Ohio, United States, 45459
      • Miami Valley Hospital South
    • Centerville, Ohio, United States, 45459
      • Dayton Physicians LLC-Miami Valley South
    • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45236
      • Oncology Hematology Care Inc-Kenwood
    • Dayton, Ohio, United States, 45409
      • Miami Valley Hospital
    • Dayton, Ohio, United States, 45415
      • Dayton Physician LLC-Miami Valley Hospital North
    • Dayton, Ohio, United States, 45415
      • Miami Valley Hospital North
    • Findlay, Ohio, United States, 45840
      • Blanchard Valley Hospital
    • Findlay, Ohio, United States, 45840
      • Armes Family Cancer Center
    • Findlay, Ohio, United States, 45840
      • Orion Cancer Care
    • Franklin, Ohio, United States, 45005-1066
      • Atrium Medical Center-Middletown Regional Hospital
    • Franklin, Ohio, United States, 45005
      • Dayton Physicians LLC-Atrium
    • Greenville, Ohio, United States, 45331
      • Wayne Hospital
    • Greenville, Ohio, United States, 45331
      • Dayton Physicians LLC-Wayne
    • Kettering, Ohio, United States, 45429
      • Kettering Medical Center
    • Kettering, Ohio, United States, 45409
      • Greater Dayton Cancer Center
    • Springfield, Ohio, United States, 45505
      • Springfield Regional Medical Center
    • Springfield, Ohio, United States, 45504
      • Springfield Regional Cancer Center
    • Troy, Ohio, United States, 45373
      • Upper Valley Medical Center
    • Troy, Ohio, United States, 45373
      • Dayton Physicians LLC - Troy
  • Oklahoma
    • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73120
      • Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
  • Oregon
    • Bend, Oregon, United States, 97701
      • Saint Charles Health System
    • Clackamas, Oregon, United States, 97015
      • Clackamas Radiation Oncology Center
    • Clackamas, Oregon, United States, 97015
      • Providence Cancer Institute Clackamas Clinic
    • Coos Bay, Oregon, United States, 97420
      • Bay Area Hospital
    • Newberg, Oregon, United States, 97132
      • Providence Newberg Medical Center
    • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97213
      • Providence Portland Medical Center
    • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97225
      • Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center
  • Pennsylvania
    • Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, 18104
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Center - Allentown
    • Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States, 18015
      • Saint Luke's University Hospital-Bethlehem Campus
    • Easton, Pennsylvania, United States, 18045
      • Saint Luke's Hospital-Anderson Campus
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15232
      • University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)
    • Quakertown, Pennsylvania, United States, 18951
      • Saint Luke's Hospital-Quakertown Campus
    • Sayre, Pennsylvania, United States, 18840
      • Guthrie Medical Group PC-Robert Packer Hospital
  • South Dakota
    • Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States, 57401
      • Avera Cancer Institute-Aberdeen
    • Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, 57105
      • Avera Cancer Institute
  • Utah
    • Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84112
      • Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah
  • Vermont
    • Berlin, Vermont, United States, 05602
      • Central Vermont Medical Center/National Life Cancer Treatment
    • Burlington, Vermont, United States, 05401
      • University of Vermont Medical Center
  • Virginia
    • Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, 22908
      • University of Virginia Cancer Center
    • Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23298
      • Virginia Commonwealth University/Massey Cancer Center
  • Washington
    • Aberdeen, Washington, United States, 98520
      • Providence Regional Cancer System-Aberdeen
    • Bellingham, Washington, United States, 98225
      • PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center
    • Centralia, Washington, United States, 98531
      • Providence Regional Cancer System-Centralia
    • Edmonds, Washington, United States, 98026
      • Swedish Cancer Institute-Edmonds
    • Everett, Washington, United States, 98201
      • Providence Regional Cancer Partnership
    • Issaquah, Washington, United States, 98029
      • Swedish Cancer Institute-Issaquah
    • Kennewick, Washington, United States, 99336
      • Kadlec Clinic Hematology and Oncology
    • Lacey, Washington, United States, 98503
      • Providence Regional Cancer System-Lacey
    • Longview, Washington, United States, 98632
      • PeaceHealth Saint John Medical Center
    • Port Townsend, Washington, United States, 98368
      • Jefferson Healthcare
    • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98107
      • Swedish Medical Center-Ballard Campus
    • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98122
      • Swedish Medical Center-First Hill
    • Sedro-Woolley, Washington, United States, 98284
      • PeaceHealth United General Medical Center
    • Vancouver, Washington, United States, 98664
      • PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
    • Walla Walla, Washington, United States, 99362
      • Providence Saint Mary Regional Cancer Center
  • Wisconsin
    • Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, 54701
      • Marshfield Medical Center-EC Cancer Center
    • Marshfield, Wisconsin, United States, 54449
      • Marshfield Medical Center-Marshfield
    • Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53226
      • Medical College of Wisconsin
    • Minocqua, Wisconsin, United States, 54548
      • Marshfield Clinic-Minocqua Center
    • Rice Lake, Wisconsin, United States, 54868
      • Marshfield Medical Center-Rice Lake
    • Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States, 54482
      • Marshfield Medical Center-River Region at Stevens Point
    • Weston, Wisconsin, United States, 54476
      • Marshfield Medical Center - Weston

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient must be >= 18 years of age
• Patient must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1

• Patient must have a histologic diagnosis of melanoma belonging to the following American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition TNM stages:

  • T0, Tx or T1-4; and
  • N1b, N2b, N2c, N3b or N3c

• Patients may have a presentation with primary melanoma with concurrent regional nodal and/or in-transit metastasis; or patients may have a history of primary melanoma or unknown primary melanoma presenting with clinically detected regional nodal and/or in-transit recurrence; and may belong to any of the following groups:

  • Primary cutaneous melanoma with clinically apparent regional lymph node metastases and/or in-transit metastases
  • Clinically detected recurrent melanoma at the proximal regional lymph node(s) basin
  • Primary cutaneous melanoma with concurrent nodal disease involving a single (or multiple) regional nodal group(s) if considered potentially surgically resectable at baseline
  • Clinically detected nodal melanoma (if single site) arising from an unknown primary

  • In-transit cutaneous metastases with or without regional lymph node involvement permitted if considered potentially surgically resectable at baseline

    • NOTE: Patients with mucosal and/or uveal melanoma are not eligible for the study
• Patient must be a candidate for definitive surgery and have met with the treating surgical oncologist prior to randomization
• Patient must not have received any live vaccine within 30 days prior to randomization and while participating in the study. Live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and typhoid (oral) vaccine. Patients are permitted to receive inactivated vaccines and any non-live vaccines including those for the seasonal influenza and COVID-19 (Note: intranasal influenza vaccines, such as Flu-Mist [registered trademark] are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed). If possible, it is recommended to separate study drug administration from vaccine administration by about a week (primarily, in order to minimize an overlap of adverse events)

• Patient must have the presence of injectable and measurable disease based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, documented by scans obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization

  • NOTE: Injectable disease is defined as an accessible lesion in the skin, subcutaneous tissue or lymph nodes (LN) close to the skin and palpable by physical examination or approachable with ultrasound guidance
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500 /mcL (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• Hemoglobin (Hgb) >= 9 g/dL or >= 5.6 mmol/L (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• Platelets >= 100,000 / mcL (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• Serum creatinine =< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) or measured or calculated creatinine clearance > 60 mL/min (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] can also be used in place of creatinine or creatinine clearance [CrCl] for patients with creatinine levels > 1.5 x institutional ULN) (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• Serum total bilirubin =< 1.5 x institutional ULN; for total bilirubin level > 1.5 x ULN but =< 3 x ULN, the direct bilirubin must be =< the institutional ULN (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT]) =< 2.5 x institutional ULN (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• International normalized ratio (INR) or prothrombin time (PT) =< 1.5 x institutional ULN unless patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) =< 1.5 x institutional ULN unless patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants (obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization)
• Patients must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to the potential harm to an unborn fetus and possible risk for adverse events in nursing infants with the treatment regimens being used. All patients of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 14 days prior to randomization to rule out pregnancy. A urine or serum pregnancy test must be repeated within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of pembrolizumab if the test done for eligibility/randomization is done outside of this 72 hour window. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required. A patient of childbearing potential is defined as anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: 1) has achieved menarche at some point, 2) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 3) has not been naturally postmenopausal (amenorrhea following cancer therapy does not rule out childbearing potential) for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months)
• Patients must not expect to conceive or father children by using accepted and effective method(s) of contraception or abstaining from sexual intercourse from time of randomization, while on study treatment, and continue for 26 weeks after the last dose of protocol treatment
• Patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients with impaired decision-making capacity (IDMC) who have a legally authorized representative (LAR) or caregiver and/or family member available will also be considered eligible
• Patient must not have received prior systemic therapy for melanoma including systemic therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4, BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination and/or TLR-9 agonist

• Patient must not have a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or be receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to randomization, except as noted here

  • Patients who are currently receiving steroids at a dose of prednisone =< 5 mg daily (or equivalent) are permitted to enroll
  • Patients who require topical, ophthalmologic and inhalational steroids are permitted to enroll
  • Patients with hypothyroidism who are stable on hormone replacement are permitted to enroll
  • Patients who require active immunosuppression with corticosteroids at a dose of prednisone > 5 mg daily (or equivalent) for any reason are ineligible
  • Patients with adrenal insufficiency are ineligible
  • Patients who have developed autoimmune disorders of grade 4 while on prior immunotherapy are not permitted to enroll on this study. Patients who developed autoimmune disorders of grade =< 3 may enroll if the disorder has resolved to grade =< 1 and the patient has been off systemic corticosteroids at doses > 5 mg for at least 2 weeks prior to randomization
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months prior to randomization are eligible for this trial
• For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated
• Patients with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load
• Patients with a history of brain metastases are not eligible for this study as they do not meet the eligibility staging criteria
• Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial
• Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better
• Patient must not have had an allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant
• Patient must not have a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis
• Patient must not have severe hypersensitivity (>= grade 3) to pembrolizumab and/or any of its excipients
• Patient must not have an active infection requiring systemic therapy
• Patient must not have a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorder that would interfere with the patient's ability to cooperate with the requirements of the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm A (pembrolizumab); NEOADJUVANT PHASE: Patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 3 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. SURGERY: Patients undergo surgery 1-2 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant phase. ADJUVANT PHASE: After recovery from surgery, patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of every other cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 16 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT or PET/CT throughout the trial and may undergo optional biopsy at baseline and disease progression and optional collection of blood samples throughout the trial.	Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Undergo collection of blood samples; Other Names: Biological Sample Collection; Biospecimen Collected; Specimen Collection; Biological: Pembrolizumab; Given IV; Other Names: Keytruda; MK-3475; Lambrolizumab; SCH 900475; BCD-201; Pembrolizumab Biosimilar BCD-201; Procedure: Surgical Procedure; Undergo surgery; Other Names: Operation; Surgery; Surgery Type; Surgical; Surgical Intervention; Surgical Interventions; Surgical Procedures; Type of Surgery; Surgery, NOS; Procedure: Biopsy; Undergo biopsy; Other Names: Bx; BIOPSY_TYPE; Procedure: Positron Emission Tomography; Undergo PET/CT; Other Names: Medical Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography; PET; PET Scan; Positron Emission Tomography Scan; Positron-Emission Tomography; proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; PT; Positron emission tomography (procedure); Procedure: Computed Tomography; Undergo CT or PET/CT; Other Names: CT; CAT; CAT Scan; Computed Axial Tomography; Computerized Axial Tomography; Computerized Tomography; CT Scan; tomography; Computerized axial tomography (procedure); Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
Experimental: Arm B (CMP-001, pembrolizumab); NEOADJUVANT PHASE: Patients receive CMP-001 SC on day 1 of cycle 1 and then intratumorally on days 8 and 15 of cycle 1, days 1, 8, and 15 of cycle 2, and day 1 of cycle 3. Patients also receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 8 of each cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 3 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. SURGERY: Patients undergo surgery 1-2 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant phase. ADJUVANT PHASE: After recovery from surgery, patients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of every other cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 16 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT or PET/CT throughout the trial and may undergo optional biopsy at baseline and disease progression and optional collection of blood samples throughout the trial.	Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Undergo collection of blood samples; Other Names: Biological Sample Collection; Biospecimen Collected; Specimen Collection; Biological: Pembrolizumab; Given IV; Other Names: Keytruda; MK-3475; Lambrolizumab; SCH 900475; BCD-201; Pembrolizumab Biosimilar BCD-201; Procedure: Surgical Procedure; Undergo surgery; Other Names: Operation; Surgery; Surgery Type; Surgical; Surgical Intervention; Surgical Interventions; Surgical Procedures; Type of Surgery; Surgery, NOS; Drug: VLP-encapsulated TLR9 Agonist CMP-001; Given SC or intratumorally; Procedure: Biopsy; Undergo biopsy; Other Names: Bx; BIOPSY_TYPE; Procedure: Positron Emission Tomography; Undergo PET/CT; Other Names: Medical Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography; PET; PET Scan; Positron Emission Tomography Scan; Positron-Emission Tomography; proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; PT; Positron emission tomography (procedure); Procedure: Computed Tomography; Undergo CT or PET/CT; Other Names: CT; CAT; CAT Scan; Computed Axial Tomography; Computerized Axial Tomography; Computerized Tomography; CT Scan; tomography; Computerized axial tomography (procedure); Computerized Tomography (CT) scan

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pathologic complete response rate	Will be estimated by the percentage of patients who achieve complete response, partial response or stable disease by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and Immune-Modified (i)RECIST criteria, with exact 90% confidence intervals.	Up to 15 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Radiographic response rate	Will be assessed using RECIST.	Up to 15 years
Relapse-free survival		From randomization to relapse or death (whichever occurs first), assessed up to 15 years
Overall survival		From randomization to death from any cause, assessed up to 15 years
Incidence of adverse events	Patients will be monitored for adverse events using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.	Up to 30 days after the last study drug administration

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ahmad Tarhini, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 15, 2021
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 13, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 13, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): January 14, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 24, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 23, 2024
• Last Verified: March 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Nevi and Melanomas; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Pembrolizumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: NCI-2020-14174 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program)); U10CA180820 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); EA6194 (Other Identifier: CTEP)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: NCI is committed to sharing data in accordance with NIH policy. For more details on how clinical trial data is shared, access the link to the NIH data sharing policy page.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No