STA-9090(Ganetespib) in Metastatic Ocular Melanoma

Patients with metastatic ocular melanoma have a poor prognosis and very limited standard therapeutic options. The recent discoveries of GNAQ and GNA11 mutations leading to MAPK pathway activation and the over-expression of c-Met generate the hypothesis that inhibition of hsp90 client proteins will provide clinical benefit. This study tests the feasibility and efficacy of hsp90 inhibition in patients with metastatic ocular melanoma. Multiple components of the MAPK pathway (B-Raf, C-Raf, cdk4) in addition to c-Met are client proteins of hsp90 and dependent of active hsp90 for stability. Inhibition of hsp90 should lead to decreased expression of these client proteins.