A Phase I/II Study of Sunitinib and Dacarbazine

This is a combination Phase I/II design that explores the toxicity and activity of a combination of sunitinib and Dacarbazine (DTIC) for metastatic melanoma. Screening tests (pre-study) will consist of a history, physical, CBC, CMP, EKG, pregnancy test for women of childbearing age, amylase (blood test for diagnoses of pancreatitis or other pancreatic diseases), staging CT, and PK. Also, on day 1, these tests will be repeated - a history, physical, toxicity assessment, CBC, and amylase test. Re-staging tests will be performed after 2 complete cycles and follow up as indicated clinically. The initial Phase I part of this trial will consist of a dose escalation of sunitinib while keeping the DTIC dose constant. Sunitinib will be given 2 weeks on and 1 week off with DTIC given once every 21 days for one cycle. If no DLT is seen, the maximum tolerated sunitinib dose will be the suggested as the Phase II trial dose. Tumor response will be measured after 2 complete cycles. Subsequently, during Phase II the trial will enroll more patients; if less than 2 responses are seen, patients will not be enrolled any further, and the study will be considered negative for activity. But, if a clinical response is seen, more patients will be enrolled at the Phase II dose.