Active clinical trials for "Melanoma"

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases from kidney cancer, melanoma, or sarcoma.

RATIONALE: Biological therapies use different ways to stimulate the immune system and stop cancer cells from growing. PURPOSE: Phase I/II trial to study the effectiveness of biological therapy in treating patients who have metastatic melanoma.

RATIONALE: Interferon alfa may interfere with the growth of cancer cells. Interleukin-2 may stimulate a person's white blood cells to kill kidney cancer or melanoma cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of high-dose interferon alfa and interleukin-2 in treating patients with metastatic kidney cancer or melanoma.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Interferon alfa may interfere with the growth of the cancer cells. Interleukin-2 may stimulate a person's white blood cells to kill melanoma cells. It is not yet known which treatment regimen is more effective in treating melanoma. PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to compare the effectiveness of two regimens of combination chemotherapy plus interferon alfa and interleukin-2 in treating patients who have metastatic melanoma.

Up to 24 patients with stage III or stage IV melanoma will be enrolled. Patients who are currently disease-free but at high risk for relapse are also eligible. Patients will receive vaccinations of gp75 at assigned dose levels. Patients who exhibit serologic and stable/clinical response are eligible to receive booster vaccinations. Patients will be evaluated for safety and efficacy throughout the duration of the study. In this study, the optimal biologically effective dose is defined as the lowest dose of gp75 that results in the production of anti-gp75 antibodies.

Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining interleukin-12 and interferon alfa in treating patients who have metastatic malignant melanoma. Interleukin-12 may kill tumor cells by stopping blood flow to the tumor and by stimulating a person's white blood cells to kill cancer cells. Interferon alfa may interfere with the growth of the cancer cells. Combining interleukin-12 and interferon alfa may kill more tumor cells.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of CCI-779 in treating patients who have metastatic melanoma.

RATIONALE: Inhaling sargramostim may interfere with the growth of tumor cells and may be an effective treatment for melanoma that has spread to the lung. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of inhaled sargramostim in treating patients with melanoma that is metastatic to the lung.

RATIONALE: Vaccines made from a peptide may make the body build an immune response to kill tumor cells. Combining vaccine therapy with interleukin-2 and/or sargramostim may be a more effective treatment for solid tumors. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of vaccine therapy plus interleukin-2 and/or sargramostim in treating adults who have metastatic solid tumors.

RATIONALE: The drug flt3L may stimulate a person's immune system and help to kill tumor cells. Vaccines made from melanoma cells may make the body build an immune response to and kill their tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of flt3L with or without vaccine therapy in treating patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell cancer.