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Evaluating the Effects of Cannabis Use and Circulating Cannabinoids on Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Malignant Melanoma

Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Melanoma
Registration Number
NCT05520294
Lead Sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Brief Summary

The goal of this proposal is to determine how cannabinoid use affects the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) of melanoma by correlating TILs with reported cannabinoid use and circulating plasma cannabinoids. The central hypothesis is that cannabinoid use decreases TILs in melanoma in a dose-dependent fashion. This is important because cannabinoid-driven TME changes in melanoma may alter patient outcomes mediated by TILs and response to standard of care ICI treatments.

Detailed Description

Specific Aim 1.Assess how systemic cannabinoids remodel tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) within the melanoma tumor microenvironment. We hypothesize that decreased grade of TILs and exhaustive differentiation of T cells in melanoma are associated with lower cannabinoid receptor (CB1/CB2) expression and higher levels of systemic exogenous cannabinoids. Aim 1a.) Correlate plasma levels of cannabinoids with TIL grade. Aim 1b.) Correlate plasma levels of cannabinoids with TIL T cell immunohistochemical markers of exhaustion. Aim 1c.) Correlate plasma levels of cannabinoids to TIL CB1/CB2 expression.

Specific Aim 2. Determine the relationship between peripheral T cell activation and circulating cannabinoid levels in patients with melanoma. We hypothesize that the phenotypic activation of peripheral T cells is inversely associated with increased plasma levels of systemic exogenous cannabinoids. Aim 2a.) Immunophenotype peripheral T cells from patients with melanoma. Aim 2b.) Correlate plasma levels of cannabinoids with peripheral T cell phenotypic activation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Biopsy proven melanoma, any stage

    • Biopsy obtained within 4 weeks of anticipated enrollment
    • Patients >21 years old
    • Report no cannabis use in the last year or chronic cannabis use (at least weekly use for 3 months or more)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients unwilling or unable to provide informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Grade of TIL in melanoma biopsy24 Months

Hematoxylin and eosin slide assessment

Composition of TILs within melanoma biopsy specimens24 Months

Stains for TIL markers such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD45RO, and FoxP3; T cell function IHC stains include: TOX, PD1, TIGIT, LAG3; melanoma specific marker SOX10

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Colorado Denver

🇺🇸

Aurora, Colorado, United States

University of Colorado Denver
🇺🇸Aurora, Colorado, United States

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