This is a randomized, double-blind, phase 2 clinical trial that combines the anti-Programmed Death (PD)-1 antibody pembrolizumab with the anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α antibody infliximab as first line treatment for the management of patients with metastatic or recurrent melanoma.~The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved infliximab for metastatic melanoma but it has been approved for other uses. The FDA has approved pembrolizumab as a treatment option for metastatic melanoma.~Pembrolizumab is a blocking antibody (a protein used in the immune system to identity and neutralize bacteria, viruses, and other foreign pathogens) that binds to PD-1 (a protein that helps regulate the immune system's response in the body) and blocks the interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2 (proteins that inhibits the body's immune response). By blocking this interaction, it might lead to an anti-tumor immune response that may decrease tumor growth. Infliximab is an anti-TNFα agent (an antibody that blocks certain inflammatory hormones) that may interact with irEC (immune related (entero)colitis - inflammation that occurs in the digestive tract) which can develop among people with advanced melanoma. Anti- TNFα agents have shown to lead to rapid symptomatic improvement. By combining pembrolizumab and infliximab we believe it may lead to reduced immune related side effects while increasing effective anti-tumor immune response. The research study procedures include screening for eligibility and study treatment including evaluations and follow up visits. Participants will be randomized to receive either a) pembrolizumab plus infliximab or b) pembrolizumab plus placebo (an intravenous solution without medication). Participants will receive study treatment for as long as their disease does not worsen, they do not experience any unacceptable side effects, or they have completed the two years of pembrolizumab therapy. Participants will then be followed until the study doctor determines follow-up is no longer needed or until participant withdrawal. It is expected that about 36 people will take part in this research study A research grant, The Bridge Project, is supporting this research study by providing funding for the study.
The purpose of this research is to test the safety and effectiveness of the investigational combination of pembrolizumab and infliximab in treating metastatic melanoma.