UCLA's oncology program is running 45 clinical trials focused on melanoma and skin cancer, with 20 actively enrolling eligible patients right now. These studies represent some of the most advanced approaches in cancer treatment, including immunotherapy combinations, genetically modified immune cells, and targeted drugs designed to attack specific cancer mutations. For patients with advanced or treatment-resistant skin cancer, these trials offer access to experimental therapies years before they might become widely available .

What Types of Skin Cancer Are Being Studied at UCLA?

UCLA's clinical trial portfolio covers multiple forms of skin cancer beyond the most common melanoma. The trials are investigating treatments for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, uveal melanoma (a rare form that develops inside the eye), and advanced solid tumors with specific genetic mutations. This diversity reflects the reality that skin cancer isn't one-size-fits-all; different types require different approaches, and UCLA's research infrastructure allows researchers to test multiple strategies simultaneously .

One notable trial focuses on DaRT (Diffusing Alpha-Emitters Radiation Therapy), a novel treatment for recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that combines radiation with targeted delivery directly into tumors. Another examines belzupacap sarotalocan, a treatment for small choroidal melanoma and indeterminate eye lesions. These represent entirely different mechanisms than traditional chemotherapy, offering hope to patients whose cancers have stopped responding to standard treatments .

How Are Immunotherapy Combinations Changing Melanoma Treatment?

Several UCLA trials are testing combinations of checkpoint inhibitor drugs, which work by removing the brakes that cancer cells place on the immune system. One major study, called Harmony Head-to-Head, is comparing fianlimab combined with cemiplimab against the FDA-approved combination of relatlimab and nivolumab (sold as Opdualag). This head-to-head comparison will help determine which pairing works better and for which patients .

Another trial is investigating RP2 combined with nivolumab in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma who have never received checkpoint inhibitor therapy before. The goal is to measure whether this combination provides better clinical benefits than the standard nivolumab and ipilimumab pairing. These studies matter because even small improvements in response rates can mean the difference between progression and remission for patients with advanced disease .

What Is CAR-T Cell Therapy, and Why Is UCLA Testing It for Melanoma?

One of the most innovative trials at UCLA involves CAR-T cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy that genetically modifies a patient's own immune cells to recognize and attack cancer. In this specific trial, researchers extract T cells (a type of white blood cell) from the patient's blood, grow them in a laboratory, and insert a gene that programs them to target IL13Ralpha2, a protein found on melanoma and other solid tumor cells. The modified cells are then returned to the patient's body to hunt down and destroy cancer .

This phase 1 trial is enrolling patients aged 18 to 75 with stage IIIC or IV melanoma or metastatic solid tumors. The study will determine the safest and most effective dose, how long the modified cells survive in the body, and whether they successfully attack cancer. CAR-T therapy has shown remarkable results in blood cancers, and researchers are now testing whether this approach can work for solid tumors like melanoma .

Steps to Determine If You're Eligible for a UCLA Skin Cancer Trial

• Check Your Cancer Type and Stage: UCLA trials cover melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, uveal melanoma, and other solid tumors. Verify that your specific diagnosis matches one of the open studies. Most trials require advanced or metastatic disease, meaning cancer that has spread or returned after initial treatment.
• Review Age and Prior Treatment Requirements: Most UCLA trials are open to adults 18 and older, though some have upper age limits (typically 75). Many studies require that you have not previously received certain treatments, such as checkpoint inhibitors or specific targeted drugs. Check whether your prior treatment history disqualifies you from a particular trial.
• Assess Your Performance Status: Clinical trials typically require that patients be well enough to tolerate the experimental treatment. This is measured by performance status, a rating of how much your cancer affects your daily activities. Ask your oncologist whether your current health status meets the trial's requirements.
• Contact UCLA's Clinical Trials Office: Visit the UCLA clinical trials website or call their oncology department to speak with a trial coordinator. They can review your medical records, explain which trials might be appropriate for you, and discuss the enrollment process, potential benefits, and risks.

What Genetic Mutations Are These Trials Targeting?

Several UCLA trials focus on specific genetic mutations found in skin cancers. One study is investigating IDE196, a drug designed for tumors with GNAQ, GNA11, or PRKC mutations. These mutations are particularly common in uveal melanoma and certain cutaneous melanomas. By targeting the specific genetic driver of a patient's cancer, these drugs can be more effective and potentially cause fewer side effects than broad-spectrum treatments .

Another trial examines NST-628, an oral tablet for patients with MAPK pathway mutations in advanced solid tumors. The MAPK pathway is a critical signaling system that many cancers hijack to grow and survive. By blocking this pathway, NST-628 aims to starve cancer cells of the signals they need to proliferate. These mutation-targeted approaches represent a shift toward precision medicine, where treatment is tailored to each patient's tumor genetics .

How Are UCLA Researchers Using Advanced Imaging to Improve Cancer Detection?

Beyond treatment trials, UCLA is also testing new imaging technology that could improve how doctors detect and monitor cancer. One trial is evaluating 68Ga-FAPi-46, a new imaging tracer used with PET/CT scans (positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography). This tracer accumulates in cancer tissue, making tumors more visible on imaging. The study will determine where and to what degree the tracer concentrates in normal and cancerous tissues, potentially improving early detection and treatment monitoring .

PET/CT is a hybrid imaging technique that combines the metabolic information from PET scans with the anatomical detail from CT scans. By using a new tracer designed to target cancer-associated proteins, researchers hope to identify tumors earlier and track treatment response more accurately. This could help oncologists adjust treatment plans in real time based on how well the cancer is responding .

What Should Patients Know About Clinical Trial Participation?

Participating in a clinical trial offers potential access to cutting-edge treatments, close monitoring by research teams, and the opportunity to contribute to medical science. However, experimental therapies carry unknown risks. Before enrolling, patients should understand the trial's purpose, potential benefits and side effects, time commitment, and how their data will be used. UCLA trial coordinators are required to provide detailed informed consent documents explaining all of this information .

Patients can withdraw from a trial at any time without affecting their standard cancer care. Many trials also provide genetic counseling, nutritional support, and mental health resources as part of their comprehensive approach to patient care. The key is having an open conversation with your oncologist about whether a particular trial aligns with your treatment goals and health status .

With 20 trials currently enrolling, UCLA offers patients with melanoma and skin cancer more options than ever before. Whether you're interested in immunotherapy combinations, CAR-T cell therapy, targeted drugs, or advanced imaging, contacting UCLA's clinical trials office is the first step toward exploring whether one of these studies might be right for you.