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Recruiting EARLY_Phase 1 NCT06216938

NCT06216938 RP1 in Primary Melanoma to Reduce the Risk of Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06216938
Status Recruiting
Phase EARLY_Phase 1
Sponsor Yana Najjar
Condition Melanoma
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 25 participants
Start Date 2024-03-07
Primary Completion 2028-03-31

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1)

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.

This trial targets 25 participants in total. It began in 2024-03-07 with a primary completion date of 2028-03-31.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

This early-phase study will examine Vusolimogene Oderparepvec, a genetically modified oncolytic viral strain of the herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) virus, with potential oncolytic, immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, vusolimogene oderparepvec specifically targets, infects and replicates in tumor cells and does not infect healthy cells. This results in tumor cell lysis and the release of virus particles which infect and replicate within nearby tumor cells, resulting in tumor cel death. The immune system is activated by the released tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) from the tumor cells creating an anti-tumor immune response against the tumor cells, thereby further killing the tumor cells. The virus itself also elicits a tumor-specific systemic immune and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response, thereby killing nearby non-infected tumor cells.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial. 2. Be ≥ 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent. 3. Have a diagnosis of pT3b, T4a or T4b melanoma on biopsy. Patients must have grossly visible residual tumor, or a positive deep or lateral margin on initial biopsy. Patients with uveal melanoma are not eligible. 4. Females of childbearing potential must have a negative beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) test with a minimum sensitivity of 25 IU/L or equivalent units of β-hCG during screening, before the first dose, and a negative urine pregnancy test on days of treatment (Day 1, 15 and 21). For serum and urine pregnancy tests and instructions (see Section 12.2). 5. Female patients of reproductive potential must agree to avoid becoming pregnant and adhere to a highly effective contraception method until 90 days after last dose of RP1 alone. For a definition of highly effective contraceptive methods and instructions of patients and partners (see Section 12.2). 6. Male patients of reproductive potential must agree to avoid impregnating a partner and adhere to a highly effective contraception method until 90 days after last dose of RP1 study agent and refrain from donating sperm during this period. For a definition of highly effective contraceptive methods and instructions of patients and partners (see Section 12.2). Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the usual lifestyle and preferred contraception for the subject. 7. Have a performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Scale. 8. Demonstrate adequate organ function. All screening labs should be performed within 30 days of treatment initiation. Baseline labs may be used as screening labs. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Prior treatment with an oncolytic virus therapy. 2. Has acute or chronic active hepatitis B and C virus infection or known history of hepatitis B (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] reactive) or known active hepatitis C virus (HCV) (defined as HCV RNA \[qualitative\]) or HIV infection. Note: No testing for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV is required unless mandated by local health authority or clinically indicated. 3. Had systemic infection requiring IV antibiotics or other serious infection within 14 days prior to dosing. 4. Have active significant herpetic infections or prior complications of HSV-1 infection (e.g., herpetic keratitis or encephalitis). 5. Conditions requiring treatment with immunosuppressive doses (\> 10 mg daily prednisone or equivalent) of systemic corticosteroids other than for corticosteroid replacement therapy within 14 days after enrollment. For the definition of replacement therapy (Section 11.0 Supportive Care and Management of Adverse Reactions/Events). 6. Major surgery ≤ 1 week prior to starting study drug. Note: Patients who undergo major surgery must adequately recover prior to starting study treatment. 7. Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within four weeks prior to the first dose of study treatment. 8. History of documented allergic reactions or acute hypersensitivity reactions attributed to RP1 or any of its excipients. 9. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster (chicken pox), yellow fever, rabies, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed, however, intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., FluMist®) are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed. Note: Available COVID-19 vaccines do not contain live virus. 10. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that will be unfavorable for the administration of study drug or affect the explanation of drug toxicity or AEs or interfere with the patient's participation for the full duration of the study or is not in the best interest of the patient to participate, in the opinion of the treating Investigator. 11. Has serious or uncontrolled medical disorders. 12. Has known psychiatric, alcohol abuse, or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperating with the requirements of the study. 13. Is a person deprived of their liberty by a judicial or administrative decision, or an adult person subject to a legal protection measure. 14. Is a solid organ transplant recipient. 15. Has a concurrent malignancy requiring active systemic therapy or ongoing radiation. 16. Patients with tumors that are located near critical structures, such as the carotid artery or portal vein, or scalp lesions presenting with moderate to extensive bone erosion and tumors that may have invaded the heart, great vessels, or other critical structures will not be eligible because these area should not be injected. Injection through an ulcerated area of a lesion should be avoided.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Amy Rose, RN, BSN

✉ kennaj@upmc.edu

📞 412-647-8587

Principal Investigator

Yana Najjar, MD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06216938 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Melanoma. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT06216938 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.

Is NCT06216938 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06216938 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at kennaj@upmc.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06216938 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Pittsburgh, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06216938 clinical trial?

NCT06216938 is sponsored by Yana Najjar. The principal investigator is Yana Najjar, MD at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. The trial plans to enroll 25 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology