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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1INTERVENTIONAL

Phase Ib Study of AlpeliSib With PEmbroLizumab in Patients With mEtastatic Breast caNcer or melanomA (SELENA)

Phase Ib Study of AlpeliSib With PEmbroLizumab in Patients With mEtastatic Breast caNcer or melanomA (SELENA) (NCT06545682) is a Phase 1 interventional studying Melanoma (Skin Cancer) and Breast Cancer, sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. 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

To find a recommended dose of the combination of alpelisib and pembrolizumab that can be given to patients with metastatic breast cancer or melanoma.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Melanoma (Skin Cancer), a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

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 50 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Melanoma (Skin Cancer) 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. Patients must be 18 years or older. 2. Patients must be willing and able to provide willing to sign a consent form. 3. In the dose escalation, patients must have histologically documented locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic melanoma or TNBC that has progressed on treatments that are known to prolong survival or for which no standard treatment is available or refused such therapy. Presence of active brain metastases is not required. Patients with active metastases as defined below can be eligible in the dose escalation. 4. In the dose expansion, patients must have histologically documented locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic melanoma or TNBC that has progressed on treatments that are known to prolong survival or for which no standard treatment is available or refused such therapy. 1. Melanoma patients without brain metastases who have progressed on an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1-based regimen. 2. Melanoma patients with active and untreated brain metastases who have progressed on an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1-based regimen. 3. TNBC patients (defined as ER \<1%, HER2 0, 1+, 2+, and fluorescence in situ hybridization negative) with active untreated brain metastases. Prior treatment with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 is not required. 5. All patients must have had a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in the previous 28 days to confirm eligibility for the following cohorts: 1. Dose escalation and dose expansion Cohort 1: Confirmed absence of untreated brain metastases in patients with diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) advanced melanoma. Prior surgery for brain metastases must have been completed at least 4 weeks prior study treatment initiation, whole brain radiation therapy must have been completed at least 3 weeks prior to study treatment initiation, and stereotactic radiosurgery must have been completed within 7 days prior to study treatment initiation. ...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. Patients must be 18 years or older. 2. Patients must be willing and able to provide informed consent. 3. In the dose escalation, patients must have histologically documented locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic melanoma or TNBC that has progressed on treatments that are known to prolong survival or for which no standard treatment is available or refused such therapy. Presence of active brain metastases is not required. Patients with active metastases as defined below can be eligible in the dose escalation. 4. In the dose expansion, patients must have histologically documented locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic melanoma or TNBC that has progressed on treatments that are known to prolong survival or for which no standard treatment is available or refused such therapy. 1. Melanoma patients without brain metastases who have progressed on an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1-based regimen. 2. Melanoma patients with active and untreated brain metastases who have progressed on an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1-based regimen. 3. TNBC patients (defined as ER \<1%, HER2 0, 1+, 2+, and fluorescence in situ hybridization negative) with active untreated brain metastases. Prior treatment with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 is not required. 5. All patients must have had a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in the previous 28 days to confirm eligibility for the following cohorts: 1. Dose escalation and dose expansion Cohort 1: Confirmed absence of untreated brain metastases in patients with histologically confirmed advanced melanoma. Prior surgery for brain metastases must have been completed at least 4 weeks prior study treatment initiation, whole brain radiation therapy must have been completed at least 3 weeks prior to study treatment initiation, and stereotactic radiosurgery must have been completed within 7 days prior to study treatment initiation. 2. Dose escalation and dose expansion Cohorts 2 and 3: At least one confirmed measurable untreated brain lesion ≥ 0.5 cm and \< 3.0 cm in the longest axis. 6. Has measurable disease based on the RECIST v1.1. 7. Has adequate organ function as defined in Table 2: 8. Has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 (Appendix 4). 9. Has a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks. 10. Able to swallow and retain orally administered medication. 11. In the dose expansion, patients with EC disease must be willing to provide tissue from a newly obtained, safely accessible core or excisional biopsy lesion at pre-treatment and at least one time point while on study treatment. Correlative biopsies will be optional in the dose escalation portion of the study. Newly obtained biopsy is defined as a specimen obtained up to 6 weeks (42 days) prior to initiation of study treatment on Day 1 without intervening systemic therapy. 12. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) should have a negative urine pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study treatment. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required. 13. Alpelisib and pembrolizumab can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Therefore, WOCBP must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) from the time of screening through 4 months after the last dose of study treatment. Refer to Pregnancy Assessment Policy MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) Institutional Policy # CLN1114. This includes all female patients between the onset of menses and 55 years unless the patient presents with an applicable exclusionary factor such as one of the following: 1. Postmenopausal (no menses in ≥ 12 consecutive months) 2. History of hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy 3. Ovarian failure (follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol in menopausal range and have received whole pelvic radiation therapy) 4. History of bilateral tubal ligation or another surgical sterilization procedure 14. Approved methods of birth control are as follows: hormonal contraception (i.e., birth control pills, injection, implant, transdermal patch, vaginal ring), intrauterine device, tubal ligation or hysterectomy, patient/partner post vasectomy, implantable or injectable contraceptives, and condoms plus spermicide. Not engaging in sexual activity for the total duration of the study and the study treatment washout period is an acceptable practice; however, periodic abstinence, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method are not acceptable methods of birth control. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. 15. Male patients with partner(s) of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception from the time of screening through 4 months after the last dose of study treatment. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Has a history of or active autoimmune disease, as follows: history of inflammatory bowel disease, history of symptomatic disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic progressive sclerosis \[scleroderma\], systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune vasculitis \[e.g., Wegener's granulomatosis\]), motor neuropathy considered of autoimmune origin (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis), or history of autoimmune thyroiditis (patients may be eligible if their current thyroid disorder is treated and stable with replacement or other medical therapy). 2. Has active infection or had a serious general medical condition(s) (such as vascular accident) in the past 6 months. 3. Any unresolved \> Grade 1 toxicity (per CTCAE v5.0) from previous anticancer therapy or previously administered agent at the time of enrollment, except for alopecia and Grade 2 anemia (if hemoglobin is \> 9 g/dL). Note: If the patient received major surgery, he/she must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting study treatment. 4. Patients who received chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 2 weeks (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) prior to starting study treatment. 5. Presence of any clinically significant gastrointestinal abnormality or other condition(s) (e.g., ulcerative diseases, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, or small bowel resection) that may alter absorption such as malabsorption syndrome or major resection of the stomach or substantial portion of the small intestine based on investigator discretion. 6. Previous major surgery within 14 days prior to enrollment. 7. Evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g., unstable or uncompensated respiratory, hepatic, renal, or cardiac disease). 8. Established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type I or uncontrolled type II (based on fasting blood glucose and HbA1c \[see inclusion criteria #4\]). 9. History of acute pancreatitis within 1 year of screening or past medical history of chronic pancreatitis. 10. History of severe cutaneous reaction, such as SJS, erythema multiforme (EM), TEN, or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). 11. Based on average of triplicate 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), a mean resting QTc interval using Fridericia formula \> 450 msec for males and \> 470 msec for females at screening or a history of congenital long QT syndrome or QTc \> 480 msec for patients with a bundle branch block. 12. History or evidence of cardiovascular risk including any of the following: 1. History of myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndromes (including unstable angina), coronary angioplasty, stenting, or bypass grafting within 6 months prior to enrollment. 2. Class III or IV heart failure as defined by the New York Heart Association functional classification system. 3. Known left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50%. 4. Known cardiac metastases. 13. Poorly controlled hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure ≥150 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \>100 mmHg based on a mean of three measurements taken at approximately 2-minute intervals). Note: Initiation or adjustment of antihypertensive medication(s) is permitted if done 30 or more days prior to enrollment. 14. For dose expansion Cohorts 2 and 3 with active brain metastases: 1. Patients must not have any of the following on the screening brain MRI: * Any untreated brain lesions \> 3.0 cm in size. * Any brain lesion thought to require immediate local therapy, including (but not limited to) a lesion in an anatomic site where increase in size or possible treatment-related edema may pose risk to the patient (e.g., brainstem lesions). Patients who undergo local treatment for such lesions may still be eligible for the study. 2. Ongoing use of systemic corticosteroids for control of symptoms of brain metastases at a total daily dose of dexamethasone (or equivalent) \> 4 mg. * Poorly controlled (\> 1/week) generalized or complex partial seizures, or manifestation of neurologic progression due to brain metastases notwithstanding CNS-directed therapy. 15. Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis. 16. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the patient's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the patient to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. 17. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorder that in the opinion of the treating physician or principal investigator (PI) would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial. 18. Known history of hepatitis B or C or positive test for human immunodeficiency virus. 19. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of planned start of study treatment. Note: Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally inactivated flu vaccines and are allowed; COVID-19 vaccines are allowed; however intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu-Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines, and are not allowed. 20. Current use of or anticipated requirement during the study of any prohibited medication(s) (See Section 5.5.2). 21. History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to alpelisib and pembrolizumab. 22. Pregnant or nursing.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Alpelisib + Pembrolizumab

Given by mouth (PO) Given by vein (IV)

Locations (1)

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.

MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06545682), the sponsor (M.D. Anderson Cancer Center), 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 NCT06545682 clinical trial studying?

To find a recommended dose of the combination of alpelisib and pembrolizumab that can be given to patients with metastatic breast cancer or melanoma. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06545682?

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 NCT06545682?

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 NCT06545682. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06545682. 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 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.