Utility of Novel BRAF Test for Melanoma

Mass General Brigham

Status: Completed

Conditions: Melanoma

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT01840527

12-488

1UH2CA207355 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This primary purpose of this study is to obtain blood samples from participants with both early and later stages of melanoma (Stage II/III and Stage IV). The researchers hope to better understand an abnormal protein found in many melanoma tumors called the BRAFV600 mutation.

There will be two separate cohorts (groups) of participants on this study. You will be placed in one of the Groups.

Group 1-For participants with advanced melanoma: Your existing tumor tissue sample will be compared to the blood samples given in order to further analyze and to understand the BRAFV600E gene mutation.

Group 2-For participants with stage II/III melanoma: Following surgery, blood samples will be collected and analyzed.

Understanding the BRAFV600E gene mutation in melanoma will help the researchers better understand the disease, and help plan treatment options for people with melanoma of all stages in the future.

Full description

There will be no extra clinic visits for this study. These research blood samples will be drawn at the same time as your regularly scheduled blood draws that are part of standard care for melanoma.

About 2 to 4 teaspoons of blood will be drawn for each research sample.

Depending on which group you are in, you will have either a one time blood draw or ongoing blood work for 1-2 years.

Enrollment: 220 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Biopsy proven advanced (unresectable stage IIIC or stage IV)or high risk (stage II or stage III) malignant melanoma

Exclusion criteria

• History of a different malignancy except for the following circumstances: disease-free for at least 2 years and deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence; or non-metastatic prostate cancer, cervical cancer in situ and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma
• Known history of a different BRAF mutant malignancy

Trial design

220 participants in 2 patient groups

Advanced Melanoma

Description:

For patients in the advanced melanoma cohort, a one-time blood sample will be obtained prior to the commencement of systemic therapy at a time when standard-of-care blood will be drawn. While it is ideal to obtain samples prior to any systemic therapy, participants who have previously received therapy, have progressed, and are in need of additional therapy will be considered suitable for participation. Participants with known BRAF mutation (determined by standard of care tissue testing) will undergo blood draws every 4 weeks (+/- 1 week) and at the time of disease progression.

Stage II/III Melanoma

Description:

For patients in the high-risk stage II/III cohort, a blood draw will be performed 4-8 weeks after the completion of surgical management at the time of standard of care blood work. In participants who sign informed consent prior to definite surgical management, a pre-operative blood draw may be obtained at the time that standard of care pre-op blood work is performed. Blood samples will then be obtained every three months following the initiation of either adjuvant therapy or routine, close follow-up for up to two years.