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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 3INTERVENTIONAL

Efficacy of Daromun Neoadjuvant Intratumoral Treatment in Clinical Stage IIIB/C/D Melanoma Patients

An Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled Multi-Center Study of The Efficacy of Daromun (L19IL2 + L19TNF) Neoadjuvant Intratumoral Treatment Followed by Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy Versus Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy in Clinical Stage IIIB/C/D Melanoma Patients

Efficacy of Daromun Neoadjuvant Intratumoral Treatment in Clinical Stage IIIB/C/D Melanoma Patients (NCT03567889) is a Phase 3 interventional studying Melanoma Stage IIIB and Melanoma Stage IIIC, sponsored by Philogen S.p.A.. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of Daromun neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy to improve in a statistically significant manner the recurrence-free survival (RFS) of Stage IIIB/C/D melanoma patients with respect to the standard of care (surgery and adjuvant therapy).

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 3 trials confirm efficacy and safety in large patient groups (often 300–3,000+) and form the evidence base for an FDA approval submission. For Melanoma Stage IIIB, Phase 3 studies typically randomize participants between the investigational treatment and either a placebo or current standard of care. A successful Phase 3 result is the threshold most treatments need to clear before regulatory approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 186 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Melanoma Stage IIIB subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) diagnosis of clinical stage IIIB, IIIC, and IIID (AJCC 8th edition) locoregional melanoma that is eligible for complete surgical resection of all metastases (surgically resectable). 2. Eligible subjects must have measurable disease and must be candidate for intralesional therapy with at least one injectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, or nodal melanoma lesion (≥ 10 mm in longest diameter) or with multiple injectable lesions that in aggregate have a longest diameter of ≥ 10 mm. 3. Prior anti-tumor treatment for the primary melanoma lesion, including surgery and approved adjuvant treatments (e.g., radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, BRAF/MEK inhibitors, etc.) is allowed. Before enrollment in the study, a wash-out period of 6 weeks is required and toxicities from prior treatments should be resumed to Grade ≤1. 4. Males or females, age ≥ 18 years. 5. ECOG Performance Status/WHO Performance Status ≤ 1. 6. Life expectancy of \> 24 months. 7. Absolute neutrophil count \> 1.5 x 109/L. 8. Hemoglobin \> 9.0 g/dL. 9. Platelets \> 100 x 109/L. 10. Total bilirubin ≤ 30 μmol/L (or ≤ 2.0 mg/dl). 11. ALT and AST ≤ 2.5 x the upper limit of normal (ULN). 12. Serum creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN. 13. LDH serum level ≤ 1.5 x ULN. 14. Documented negative test for HIV, HBV and HCV. For HBV serology, the determination of HBsAg and anti-HBcAg Ab is required. In patients with serology documenting previous exposure to HBV (i.e. positive anti-HBsAg with not vaccination and/or positive anti-HBcAg Ab), negative serum HBV-DNA is also required. 15. All acute toxic effects (excluding alopecia) of any prior therapy must have resolved to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) (v4.03) Grade ≤ 1 unless otherwise specified above. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of clinical stage IIIB, IIIC, and IIID (AJCC 8th edition) locoregional melanoma that is eligible for complete surgical resection of all metastases (surgically resectable). 2. Eligible subjects must have measurable disease and must be candidate for intralesional therapy with at least one injectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, or nodal melanoma lesion (≥ 10 mm in longest diameter) or with multiple injectable lesions that in aggregate have a longest diameter of ≥ 10 mm. 3. Prior anti-tumor treatment for the primary melanoma lesion, including surgery and approved adjuvant treatments (e.g., radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, BRAF/MEK inhibitors, etc.) is allowed. Before enrollment in the study, a wash-out period of 6 weeks is required and toxicities from prior treatments should be resumed to Grade ≤1. 4. Males or females, age ≥ 18 years. 5. ECOG Performance Status/WHO Performance Status ≤ 1. 6. Life expectancy of \> 24 months. 7. Absolute neutrophil count \> 1.5 x 109/L. 8. Hemoglobin \> 9.0 g/dL. 9. Platelets \> 100 x 109/L. 10. Total bilirubin ≤ 30 μmol/L (or ≤ 2.0 mg/dl). 11. ALT and AST ≤ 2.5 x the upper limit of normal (ULN). 12. Serum creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN. 13. LDH serum level ≤ 1.5 x ULN. 14. Documented negative test for HIV, HBV and HCV. For HBV serology, the determination of HBsAg and anti-HBcAg Ab is required. In patients with serology documenting previous exposure to HBV (i.e. positive anti-HBsAg with not vaccination and/or positive anti-HBcAg Ab), negative serum HBV-DNA is also required. 15. All acute toxic effects (excluding alopecia) of any prior therapy must have resolved to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) (v4.03) Grade ≤ 1 unless otherwise specified above. 16. All women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must have negative pregnancy test results at the screening. WOCBP must be using, from the screening to three months following the last study drug administration, highly effective contraception methods. WOCBP and effective contraception methods are defined by the "Recommendations for contraception and pregnancy testing in clinical trials" issued by the Head of Medicine Agencies' Clinical Trial Facilitation Group and which include, for instance, progesterone-only or combined (estrogen- and progesterone-containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation, intrauterine devices, intrauterine hormone-releasing systems, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner or sexual abstinence. Pregnancy test will be repeated at the safety visit (only WOCBP and only for patients in Arm 1). 17. Male patients with WOCBP partners must agree to use simultaneously two acceptable methods of contraception (i.e. spermicidal gel plus condom) from the screening to three months following the last study drug administration. 18. Evidence of a personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study. 19. Willingness and ability to comply with the scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests and other study procedures. Exclusion Criteria 1. Uveal melanoma or mucosal melanoma 2. Evidence of distant metastases at screening. 3. Previous or concurrent cancer that is distinct in primary site or histology from the cancer being evaluated in this study except: cervical carcinoma in situ, curatively treated basal cell carcinoma, superficial bladder tumors (Ta, Tis \& T1), second primary melanoma in situ or any cancer curatively treated ≥ 5 years prior to study entry. 4. Presence of active infections (e.g. requiring antimicrobial therapy) or other severe concurrent disease, which, in the opinion of the investigator, would place the patient at undue risk or interfere with the study. 5. History within the last year of acute or subacute coronary syndromes including myocardial infarction, unstable or severe stable angina pectoris. 6. Inadequately controlled cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation. 7. Heart insufficiency (\> Grade II, New York Heart Association (NYHA) criteria). 8. LVEF ≤ 50% and/or abnormalities observed during baseline ECG and Echocardiogram investigations that are considered as clinically significant by the investigator. 9. Uncontrolled hypertension. 10. Ischemic peripheral vascular disease (Grade IIb-IV). 11. Severe diabetic retinopathy. 12. Active autoimmune disease. 13. History of organ allograft or stem cell transplantation. 14. Recovery from major trauma including surgery within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. 15. Known history of allergy to IL2, TNF, or other human proteins/peptides/antibodies or any other constituent of the product. 16. Breast feeding female. 17. Anti-tumor therapy (except small surgery) within 4 weeks before enrollment. 18. Previous in vivo exposure to monoclonal antibodies for biological therapy in the 6 weeks before enrollment. 19. Planned administration of growth factors or immunomodulatory agents within 7 days before enrollment. 20. Patient requiring or taking corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant drugs on a long-term basis will be evaluated case by case with the Sponsor for inclusion/exclusion in the study. Limited use of corticosteroids to treat or prevent acute hypersensitivity reactions is not considered an exclusion criteria. 21. Any conditions that in the opinion of the investigator could hamper compliance with the study protocol. 22. Previous enrolment and randomization in the same study.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Daromun

Patients will receive intratumoral administrations into injectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, and nodal tumors of Daromun once weekly for up to 4 weeks.

PROCEDURE

Surgery

Patients will receive surgery.

DRUG

Adjuvant therapy

Patients will receive adjuvant therapy at the investigator's discretion following the surgery.

Locations (20)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Mayo Clinic Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
La Jolla, California, United States
UC Irvine Health-Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Orange, California, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida, United States
Winship Cancer Institute, Emory university
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, United States
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Rutgers Cancer Institute, 195 Little Albany Street
New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Ambulatory Care Center at NYC Langarone Health
New York, New York, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Main Campus
Ney York, New York, United States
Duke University Medical Center - Duke Cancer Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio, United States
St. Luke's Cancer Center, Clinical Trial, 3rd floor, 1600 St. Luke's Blvd.
Easton, Pennsylvania, United States
Penn State Cancer Institute
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
Fox Chase Cancer Center 333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah 2000 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City, UT, Utah, United States
VCU - McGlothlin Medical Education Center
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol
Badalona, Barcelona, Spain

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT03567889), the sponsor (Philogen S.p.A.), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT03567889 clinical trial studying?

The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of Daromun neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy to improve in a statistically significant manner the recurrence-free survival (RFS) of Stage IIIB/C/D melanoma patients with respect to the standard of care (surgery and adjuvant therapy). The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT03567889?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT03567889?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT03567889. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT03567889. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.