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Chemotherapy for Inoperable Liver Metastases from Ocular Melanoma
Untitled Document
Name of the Trial
Phase II Study of Isolated Hepatic Perfusion With Melphalan Followed By Temozolomide
in Patients With Unresectable Hepatic Metastases Secondary to Ocular Melanoma
(NCI-03-C-0221). See
the protocol summary.
Principal Investigator
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Dr. James Pingpank
Study surgeon |
Dr. H. Richard Alexander, NCI Center for Cancer Research
Why This Trial Is Important
Ocular melanoma is the most common cancer of the eye in adults. If left untreated,
it can spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. Most often, ocular melanoma
spreads to the liver. No effective treatment currently exists for metastatic
ocular melanoma.
In this study, researchers are testing a procedure called hyperthermic isolated
hepatic perfusion, which involves temporarily separating the liver's blood supply
from the blood circulating throughout the rest of the body. High concentrations
of the drug melphalan are then administered to the liver. Once treatment with
melphalan is completed, the liver's blood supply is reconnected to the rest
of the circulatory system and patients are treated with the drug temozolomide.
"Isolating the liver allows us to deliver a higher dose of melphalan than
could be tolerated systemically," said Dr. James Pingpank, a surgeon involved
with the trial. "Isolated perfusions have been used to treat cancer in
other organs, but this is the first time isolated hepatic perfusion is being
used with a large number of patients. The technology just wasn't there before.
"In phase I and II testing, this therapy did produce a response in 62
percent of patients, so it does have established efficacy," said Dr. Pingpank.
"Now we are trying to prolong the duration of response, which is currently
about one year."
Contact Information
This clinical trial is no longer accepting patients. To find other clinical trials for ocular melanoma, search the NCI database of clinical trials or call the NCI Clinical Trials Referral Office at
1-888-NCI-1937. The call is toll free and confidential.
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