Melphalan for Eye Cancer

This trial aims to understand how the liver's immune system responds to the chemotherapy drug melphalan in patients with eye cancer (uveal melanoma) that has spread to the liver. Melphalan is delivered directly to the liver using Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP), which targets the liver more effectively. The trial seeks participants diagnosed with uveal melanoma that has metastasized to the liver, who can undergo PHP, and have a liver tumor suitable for biopsy.

As an unphased trial, this study offers patients the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance future treatments.

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, like high-dose systemic corticosteroids and some immunosuppressive drugs, at least two weeks before starting. If you're on anticoagulant or anti-platelet medications, they must be paused before a biopsy. Check with the trial team for specifics on your medications.

A previous study found that delivering melphalan through Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) was generally safe and well-tolerated by patients. The study also showed that using a GEN 2 filter in this process reduced blood-related side effects.

Another study demonstrated that PHP with melphalan led to better outcomes for patients with liver tumors from eye cancer compared to other treatments, indicating the treatment's effectiveness and strong safety record.

Melphalan is unique because it is delivered through a specialized method called Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion, which directly targets the liver's blood supply. This approach is particularly promising for eye cancer patients with liver metastases, as it allows high concentrations of melphalan to reach the cancer cells while potentially reducing systemic side effects. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which circulates throughout the entire body, this targeted delivery system focuses the treatment where it's needed most, offering a more precise and potentially effective option. Researchers are excited about this technique because it could improve outcomes by maximizing the drug's impact on tumors while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.

Research has shown that using melphalan through Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) to treat liver cancer spread from eye melanoma is promising. In this trial, participants will receive melphalan through PHP. One study found that patients lived for a median of 20.5 months, with some experiencing benefits for 14 months. Another report demonstrated much better results compared to other treatments. Additionally, the overall response rate was significantly higher at 40%, compared to just 4.5% in a control group. These findings suggest that delivering melphalan directly to the liver can effectively manage this type of cancer spread.⁵⁶⁷⁸⁹