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Melanoma · Interventional immuno-oncology

Melanoma is where intratumoral immunotherapy was born. We take it further.

For melanoma that has stopped responding to standard treatment — we treat the tumor directly to reignite the immune attack.

Personalized

Minimally invasive

Immune-activating

Outpatient

In plain terms

What we do, in three paragraphs.

T-VEC, an oncolytic virus injected into melanoma lesions, became the first intratumoral immunotherapy approved in the United States. That approval applies to T-VEC, not to WCI’s separate combination of ablation with multiple intratumoral drugs — checkpoint, costimulatory, and TLR agents delivered together inside the tumor.
Breaking the tumor open releases its hidden “fingerprints” and turns a “cold” or resistant tumor “hot” again — AblationVax, aiming for the well-documented abscopal effect in melanoma. We’re candid that this full multi-drug combination is our approach rather than a regulator-validated regimen — T-VEC remains the only approved injectable agent — so it’s offered under clinician review.
It’s designed for metastatic melanoma progressing after Opdualag, nivolumab + ipilimumab, or single-agent checkpoint therapy; BRAF-mutant disease after targeted therapy; mucosal, acral, or uveal subtypes with few validated options; or progression on T-VEC seeking a broader combination. We coordinate with your oncology team; most patients finish in about a week. Results vary.

One needle, one session: ablation plus immunotherapy delivered where the cancer lives.

AblationVax: the treated tumor teaches your immune system to attack cancer body-wide.

Real outcomes

Beyond Opdualag, beyond T-VEC.

Melanoma is the proving ground of immunotherapy — but after progression on standard sequences, options narrow rapidly. Our approach: re-engage immunity at the tumor site after every available standard line.

Individual results vary. These outcomes represent specific patient cases and are not guaranteed for all patients.

Where our approach fits

Treatment options by stage.

Find your diagnosis below to see what standard care offers, where we add to it, and what role our approach plays.

Localized (stage I–II)

Standard care
Wide excision ± sentinel lymph node.
What we add
Our approach is rarely first-line.
Standard care first

Locally advanced (stage III)

Standard care
Adjuvant nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or dabrafenib + trametinib.
What we add
Selected high-risk cases.
Adjunct to standard care

Our primary focus

Metastatic (stage IV)

Standard care
Opdualag first-line, nivo + ipi, BRAF/MEK for V600+, T-VEC for accessible disease.
What we add
Extension and re-engagement.

Progression on these regimens reflects local immunosuppression at the resistant sites — we address it at the tumor.

Systemic immune activation

Post-Opdualag / post-BRAF

Standard care
Progression after all immune-active and targeted lines.
What we add
Ablation + multi-agent intratumoral therapies for re-engagement.
Re-engagement

Beyond ablation alone

Destroy the tumor, then teach your immune system to finish the job.

Standard approaches
Our approach — AblationVax
Opdualag → nivo + ipi → BRAF/MEK → T-VEC → tebentafusp (uveal).
Ablation + multi-agent intratumoral cocktails at any progression step, extending the T-VEC concept.

IV checkpoint blockade: standard systemic exposure.
Delivered directly into the tumor rather than through the bloodstream. The aim is to concentrate treatment at the tumor site and limit whole-body exposure.

T-VEC alone: single-mechanism intratumoral.
Checkpoint + costimulatory + TLR delivered together inside the tumor.

Why this approach for melanoma?

Treats accessible disease everywhere it lives

Melanoma’s typical distribution — skin, nodes, lung, liver, bone — is highly accessible to image-guided ablation and direct injection.

Converts resistant tumors into “hot” targets

Progression on Opdualag or nivo + ipi reflects local immunosuppression. Ablation + intratumoral immunotherapy addresses it at the tumor.

Aims for systemic response

The aim is to learn whether treating one tumor can help produce a response in untreated tumors elsewhere in the body. Responses at untreated sites have been documented in some melanoma studies, but they are not assured with this investigational approach.

Melanoma-specific breakthrough

Beyond T-VEC, beyond Opdualag.

“Melanoma is where intratumoral immunotherapy first became FDA-validated, through T-VEC. We extend that concept with multi-agent cocktails — checkpoint, costimulatory, TLR — delivered together inside the tumor.”

— Dr. Jason R. Williams

T-VEC + multi-agent extension

T-VEC is approved for unresectable melanoma lesions; combination trials support intratumoral + checkpoint strategies. Our broader cocktail is offered under clinician review.

LAG-3 and emerging checkpoints

Opdualag pioneered systemic anti-LAG-3; intratumoral delivery of LAG-3 and emerging checkpoints (TIGIT, TIM-3) can extend the strategy.

Mucosal / uveal / acral subtypes

Less responsive to standard systemic immunotherapy — our intratumoral approach is tuned to each subtype’s biology.

“Melanoma is where we first proved intratumoral immunotherapy could change outcomes systemically. Every cancer-type approach starts from what we learned here.” — Dr. Williams

Beyond the procedure: whole-patient support.

We optimize your entire system for the best possible response — and coordinate with the team you already have.

Gut microbiome optimization

Diet, probiotics, and related therapies to support a stronger immunotherapy response.

Off-label protocols

Strategic use of repurposed medications to enhance immune response.

Personalized cocktails

Multi-agent immunotherapy tailored to your specific cancer.

Oncologist coordination

We work alongside your current chemo and radiation team.

What to expect

Your path to treatment.

1

Case review

We review your imaging and biopsy reports (BRAF, NRAS, KIT, subtype) plus prior therapy history.

2

Protocol design

A personalized cocktail tuned to mutation profile, subtype, and immune history.

3

Procedure week

Image-guided PEF or cryoablation + intratumoral immunotherapy (T-VEC + cocktails in selected cases). Outpatient.

4

Follow-up

Imaging at 6–8 weeks, coordination with your home team.

Procedure ~1 hour

Recovery ~2 hours

All outpatient

Is this right for you?

You may be a candidate if:

✓Metastatic melanoma progressing on Opdualag, nivo + ipi, or monotherapy
✓BRAF V600+ disease progressing on BRAF/MEK ± immunotherapy
✓Mucosal, acral, or uveal melanoma with limited validated options
✓Progression on T-VEC seeking multi-agent extension
✓Oligoprogressive disease on systemic therapy

It may not be suitable if:

—Severe autoimmune disease with high flare risk
—CNS-dominant progression without a CNS-directed plan
—Active severe infection
—Uncorrectable bleeding disorders
—Very poor performance status (ECOG ≥ 3)

Each case is individually evaluated by Dr. Williams’ team.

Track record

Innovation for melanoma.

2014

Multi-agent intratumoral protocols

Melanoma was an early AblationVax target.

2015

T-VEC receives U.S. approval

Validates the intratumoral immunotherapy concept.

2022

Opdualag enters first-line

Anti-LAG-3 becomes standard in metastatic melanoma.

Now

Multi-agent intratumoral protocols

Extending beyond T-VEC and beyond Opdualag.

Ready to move forward?

There is more ahead. Take the next step with confidence.

Complimentary evaluation.

Dr. Williams’ team will personally review your case and imaging — no cost, no obligation.

Or email info@williamscancerinstitute.com

Beverly Hills · San Jose del Cabo · Mexico City — most patients complete treatment in one week

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