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NCT Number: NCT06870994

Intratumoral Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy (THT) for Cutaneous Metastatic Melanoma

This device phase I/II, first in human, early feasibility study (EFS), open-label, single-arm trial aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of Gold Nanorod (GNR)-enabled sub-ablative targeted hyperthermia therapy (THT) in patients with unresectable stage 3C/3D/4M1 cutaneous metastatic malignant melanoma that have failed to respond to systemic checkpoint and localized intra-tumoral immunotherapy. The study will involve up to 10 participants with stable or progressive cutaneous and/or subcutaneous skin lesions (Immune Stable Disease (iSD) or Immune Confirmed/Unconfirmed Progressive Disease (iCPD/iUPD)).

GNRs, when administered via intra-tumoral injection and activated by NIR light, generate localized heat through a process called THT. This approach selectively targets tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In this study, 10 participants will receive two THT treatments spaced 7 days apart.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of THT treatment.

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Key information

Age range

16 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 16 years of age or older;
  • Participants with histologically or cytologically confirmed stage 3C/3D/4M1 advanced or cutaneous metastatic melanoma, with measurable disease by iRECIST 1.1 criteria, including any number of cutaneous lesions;
  • Present a visible and accessible primary tumor or metastatic deposit (any site) that has not been surgically removed;
  • Present target tumors of ≤2.5 cm in diameter;
  • Participants must have received and failed systemic and local intra-tumoral therapy at least one prior standard therapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., anti- PD1 or anti-CTLA-4), and failed local intra-tumoral IL-2 treatment. Failed response to treatment will be categorized according to iRECIST guidelines. Patients who have: a) Immune partial response (iPR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions compared to baseline, no progression of non-target lesions, No new lesions; or b) Immune Stable Disease (iSD): Neither sufficient reduction to qualify for iPR nor sufficient increase to qualify for iCPD (immune confirmed progressive disease), no new lesions; or c) Immune Unconfirmed Progressive Disease (iUPD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking the smallest sum on study as the reference, appearance of new lesions, iUPD needs confirmation after at least 4 weeks; if confirmed, it becomes iCPD; or d) Immune Confirmed Progressive Disease (iCPD): iUPD must be confirmed in a follow-up assessment (minimum of 4 weeks after initial iUPD), if progressive disease (increase in lesion size or additional new lesions) is still evident upon re-evaluation, iCPD is confirmed.
  • Participants must agree to discontinue treatment with local intralesional immunotherapies during the study, with resumption after completion of the trial;
  • ECOG Performance Status: ≤1;
  • Life expectancy: ≥6 months;
  • Participants able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with the trial protocol.
  • Either BRAF positive (BRAF+) or BRAF negative (BRAF-).

Exclusion criteria

  • Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to enrollment and agree to use adequate contraception throughout the study;
  • Any infection requiring systemic therapy or other concurrent medical conditions (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV) that would interfere with the study;
  • Myocardial infarction or stroke within the past 6 months, uncontrolled angina, or significant arrhythmia;
  • Participants receiving blood thinners as part of therapeutic anticoagulation therapy;
  • Any severe or uncontrolled comorbid condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would pose excessive risk to the participants (e.g., immunodeficiencies, severe hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, liver failure);
  • Participation in another clinical trial involving an investigational product/device within 30 days prior to screening;
  • Any condition that would impede compliance with study procedures;
  • Participants with a known allergy to gold of any kind;
  • Participants who are unable to tolerate cutaneous injections for any reason will not be eligible;
  • Participants with a known allergy to injectable local analgesics;
  • Participants with ocular melanoma or melanoma involving periorbital skin.

Treatment and study plan

Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy

Device

Intra-tumoral gold nanorods (SivaRods) exposed to Near Infrared Light (860 +/- 10nm) mediated targeted hyperthermia therapy

Other names: Gold Nanorods, Gold Nanoparticles

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of participants that successfully complete THT (maintain intra-tumoral temperatures of 42-48C)

    Time frame: 1 year

    Total number of participants that successfully complete targeted hyperthermia therapy ie. maintain an intra-tumoral temperatures between 42-48C for 5 minutes

  2. Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v5.0

    Time frame: 1 year

    The total number of participants experiencing adverse events, including serious adverse events, will be monitored and graded according to NCI CTCAE v5.0

  3. Number of participants that have a tumor response as assessed by iRECIST 1.1 criteria

    Time frame: 1 year

    The total number of participants that have a tumor response to targeted hyperthermia therapy as assessed by iRECIST 1.1 criteria

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of participant's that have an increase in immune cell infiltrates in the tumor biopsy and blood samples post THT compared to pre-treatment patient samples

    Time frame: 1 year

    The total number of participants that have an increase in immune cell infiltrates in their tumor biopsy and blood samples following targeted hyperthermia therapy compared to patients biopsy and blood samples obtained before treatment

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Carman Giacomantonio, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

902-473-6177

Len Pagliaro, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+1 (425) 443-4344

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sona Nanotech Inc

Industry

Collaborators

  • Nova Scotia Health Authority

Registry information

Official study title

Intra-tumoral Targeted Hyperthermic Therapy (THT) for Stage 3C/3D/4M1 Cutaneous Metastatic Melanoma in Patients With Targetable Cutaneous and/or Sub-cutaneous Tumors

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 11, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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