Phase II Study of Abraxane Plus Ipilimumab in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

Study Drug Administration: If you are found to be eligible to take part in this study, you will receive ABI-007 by vein over about 30 minutes on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. During the first 3 months that you receive abraxane, you will also receive ipilimumab. You will receive ipilimumab by vein over about 90 minutes. You will receive it 4 times, each time about 3 weeks apart. You will be given standard drugs to help decrease the risk of side effects. You may ask the study staff for information about how the drugs are given and their risks. Study Tests: Every week, blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn for routine tests. Before each cycle of abraxane: Your performance status will be recorded. You will have a physical exam, including measurement of your weight and vital signs. Blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn for routine tests. Blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn for tests of the immune system (first 3 cycles only). You will be asked about any other drugs you may be taking and about any side effects you may be having. If you are able to become pregnant, you will have a blood (about 1 teaspoon) or urine pregnancy test. Every 8 weeks (+/- 7 days), you will have a chest x-ray and CT scans or MRI scans performed to check the status of the disease. Length of Study: You may receive ipilimumab for up to 3 months. You may continue taking abraxane for as long as the doctor thinks it is in your best interest. You will no longer be able to take the study drugs if the disease gets worse or intolerable side effects occur. If you stop receiving the study drugs for any reason, you will have an End-of-Treatment Visit. End-of-Treatment Visit: Within 14 days after you stop study treatment, you will come into the clinic for the End-of-Treatment Visit. At this visit, the following tests will be performed: You will have a physical exam, including measurement of your vital signs and weight. You will be asked about any other drugs you may be taking and any side effects you may be having. Blood (about 2 tablespoons) will be drawn for routine tests. If the study doctor thinks it is in your best interest, you will have a CT scan or MRI scan to check for side effects. Every 2 months for 6 months, then every 3 months for up to 2 years, you will also be contacted by telephone or during a routine clinic visit to see how you are doing. If you are called, each call should last about 5 minutes. This is an investigational study. Ipilimumab is FDA approved and commercially available for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. abraxane is FDA approved and commercially available for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. It is investigational to use abraxane, either alone or in combination with ipilimumab, for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Up to 64 patients will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at MD Anderson.