
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”
This trial aimed to measure small amounts of melanoma cancer cells that may be in the bloodstream after surgery.
Depending on the results some people would go on to have treatment with a drug called nivolumab.
The trial was for people who had early stage melanoma. This is stage 2B or 2C melanoma.
Cancer Research UK supported this trial.
Surgery is the usual treatment for melanoma that hasn’t spread. It gets rid of the cancer in most people. But sometimes it comes back or spreads elsewhere in the body. So researchers are looking for ways to treat people before this happens.
The trial team have developed a blood test to look for cancer cells in the blood even if a looks normal. This blood test aims to pick up DNA in the blood from cancer cells. This is called circulating tumour DNA or
.
We know from research that people who have ctDNA in their blood have a higher chance of the cancer coming back. You usually only have treatment if a scan shows that this has happened. Doctors think that having treatment earlier if you have ctDNA in your blood could help. But they aren’t sure so want to find out more.
In this trial you have regular ctDNA blood tests after surgery. You then have one of the following if the team find cancer cells in the blood:
Nivolumab is an immunotherapy. It is already a treatment for melanoma that has spread. It helps the to find and kill cancer cells.
The main aims of the trial were to find out:
This trial closed earlier than planned. This was because of the recent changes to the standard treatment options for people with melanoma. No patients were in this trial so the team say they won't be producing any results.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Professor Paul Lorigan
Cancer Research UK
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
This is Cancer Research UK trial number CRUK/19/010.
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”