Dr Marlana Orloff speaks to ecancer about the phase 2/3 OptimUM-02 trial.

This trial evaluates darovasertib (PKC inhibitor) combined with crizotinib (MET inhibitor) as a first-line treatment for patients with HLA-A2–negative metastatic uveal melanoma, a population with limited treatment options and poor prognosis.

Results show the combination significantly improves progression-free survival (6.9 vs 3.1 months), objective response rate (37.1% vs 5.8%), and disease control rate compared to standard treatments such as immunotherapy or chemotherapy.

Dr Orloff says that early overall survival trends also favour the combination. While treatment-related side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and oedema were common, safety was manageable and consistent with known profiles.

These findings suggest darovasertib plus crizotinib may represent a new standard of care for this hard-to-treat subset of uveal melanoma patients.