Cyclophosphamide with Pembrolizumab in Treating Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Stage III or IV Melanoma
This phase II trial studies how well cyclophosphamide in combination with pembrolizumab works in treating patients with stage III or IV melanoma that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory) with checkpoint inhibitors. Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy that treats tumors by blocking proteins that regulate the immune system. Over 50% of patients with melanoma have tumors that continue to grow while on checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab, a type of monoclonal antibody and a type of immune checkpoint inhibitor, works to stimulate the immune system to fight tumor cells by targeting and blocking a protein called PD-1 found on T cells (a type of white blood cell). It is thought that T cells may decrease the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill tumor cells. It may also lower the body’s immune response. In fact, it has been shown that taking cyclophosphamide can reduce T cells. Giving cyclophosphamide with pembrolizumab may reduce regulatory T cells and make pembrolizumab more effective in treating patients with checkpoint inhibitor refractory stage III or IV melanoma.