Pembrolizumab and Ibrutinib in Treating Patients With Stage III-IV Melanoma That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

PRE-REGISTRATION- INCLUSION CRITERIA
Diagnosis of unresectable stage III or metastatic melanoma (stage IV) not amenable to local therapy

At least one non-nodal lesion considered measurable by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria (that is, a lesion whose longest diameter can be accurately measured as >= 1.0 cm with computed tomography [CT] scan, CT component of a positron emission tomography [PET]/CT, or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) or at least one malignant lymph node is considered measurable by RECIST criteria (that is, its short axis is >= 1.5 cm when assessed by CT scan)

NOTE: tumor lesions in a previously irradiated area are not considered measurable disease
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0, 1, or 2
Provide informed written consent
Patient is willing to undergo treatment and monitoring at the enrolling institution
Willing to provide tissue and blood samples for correlative research purposes
REGISTRATION- INCLUSION CRITERIA
Histologic or cytologic confirmation of unresectable stage III or metastatic melanoma (stage IV) not amenable to local therapy

Only if patient has had previous exposure to anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy:

Patient had disease progression on or within 6 months after anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 therapy in the metastatic setting OR
Patient had disease progression within 6 months after the last dose of adjuvant/neoadjuvant anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 treatment
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1000/mm^3 (obtained =< 14 days prior to registration)

Platelet count >= 75,000/mm^3 (obtained =< 14 days prior to registration)

Criteria must be met without a transfusion =< four weeks prior to registration
Hemoglobin >= 9.0 g/dL (obtained =< 14 days prior to registration)
Total bilirubin =< 1.5 X upper limit of normal (ULN); if total bilirubin > 1.5 X ULN then direct bilirubin =< ULN (obtained =< 14 days prior to registration)
Aspartate aminotransferase (aspartate transaminase [AST]) and alanine aminotransferase (alanine transaminase [ALT]) =< 2.5 x ULN OR =< 5 X ULN for patients with liver metastases (obtained =< 14 days prior to registration)
Creatinine =< 1.5 X ULN and creatinine clearance (CrCL) >= 30 ml/min per Cockcroft Gault formula (obtained =< 14 days prior to registration)
Patients of childbearing potential only, negative urine pregnancy test done =< 7 days prior to study registration

Exclusion Criteria:

PRE-REGISTRATION EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Any of the following:

Pregnant women
Nursing women
Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of study medication; adequate contraception is defined as 2 methods of birth control (e.g., hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine device, diaphragm with spermicide, cervical cap with spermicide, male condoms, or female condom with spermicide) or prior surgical sterilization, or abstinence from heterosexual activity
Prior treatment with ibrutinib or prior exposure to BTK inhibitors
Uveal melanoma
Current use of warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists
Require continuous treatment with a strong CYP3A inhibitor
Currently participating or has participated in a study of an investigational cancer therapy agent or using an investigational device within 28 days prior to study registration
Live vaccines within 28 days prior to study pre-registration
Invasive surgical procedure within 28 days prior to study pre-registration
History of clinically severe (e.g., requires chronic immunosuppressive therapy, [e.g., cyclosporine A, tacrolimus]) autoimmune disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis, lupus), or history of organ transplant
Known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, active infection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, or any uncontrolled active systemic infection
Gastrointestinal disease that might inhibit ibrutinib absorption (e.g., malabsorption syndrome, resection of the stomach or a large portion of small bowel, or partial/complete bowel obstruction), or unable to swallow capsules

Active central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis

Note: Patients with untreated brain metastasis will be excluded; patients with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they meet the following criteria:

Inactive (without evidence of progression which is documented by CT or MRI within 90 days prior to registration), AND
On =< 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent for at least 28 days prior pre-registration
Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens
Clinically significant cardiovascular disease such as unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or acute coronary syndrome within =< 180 days prior to registration, symptomatic or uncontrolled arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, or any class 3 or 4 cardiac disease as defined by the New York Heart Association Functional Classification

Other active malignancy =< 3 years prior to pre-registration; note: if there is a history of prior malignancy, the patient must not be receiving other specific treatment for cancer

EXCEPTIONS: Non-melanotic skin cancer or carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix
Currently active, clinically significant cardiovascular disease, such as uncontrolled arrhythmia or class 3 or 4 congestive heart failure as defined by the New York Heart Association Functional Classification; or a history of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or acute coronary syndrome =< 6 months prior to pre-randomization
Known bleeding disorders (von Willebrand's disease or hemophilia)
History of ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage =< 180 days prior to pre-registration
Currently active, clinically significant hepatic impairment Child-Pugh class A, B or C according to the Child Pugh classification
Unresolved toxicities from prior anti-cancer therapy, defined as not resolved to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version [v]4.0) grade 0 or 1, or to the levels dictated in the inclusion/exclusion criteria with the exceptions of alopecia and peripheral neuropathy
REGISTRATION- EXCLUSION
Failure to confirm histologically or cytologically unresectable stage III or metastatic melanoma (stage IV) not amenable to local therapy
Prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radioactive, or biological cancer therapy (including monoclonal antibody [mAb]) =< 28 days prior to registration
Received a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A inhibitor =< 7 days prior to registration
Concurrent systemic immunosuppressant therapy =< 21 days prior to registration
Recent infection requiring systemic antibiotic treatment that was completed =< 14 prior to registration