Primary objective: To evaluate the efficacy of two different dosing schedules of MS-275 in subjects with metastatic melanoma Secondary objectives: To evaluate the safety and to assess the pharmacokinetic profile of MS-275 in subjects with metastatic melanoma

The study has previously been posted by Schering AG, Germany. Schering AG, Germany has been renamed to Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany.Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany is the sponsor of the trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult subjects with Stage III or IV non-resectable nonuveal (cutaneous or mucosal) metastatic melanoma who had received at least one but no more than two previous systemic therapies (immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy) for metastatic disease and who had not responded to or who had progressed after their most recent therapy were eligible for enrollment
• Presence of at least one lesion fulfilling the minimum Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) size requirements for a target lesion - Use of highly effective birth control methods in females of child-bearing potential
• Able to undergo either contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan or contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan for tumor assessment
• Life expectancy greater than 3 months
• Adequate organ and bone marrow functions as defined below: absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1500 /µL, platelets ≥ 100,000 /µL, creatinine ≤ 1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) or measured creatinine clearance of ≥ 60 mL/min x 1.73 m2 body surface area, total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN, aspartate aminotransferase or serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase/alanine aminotransferase or serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase∗ ≤ 2.5 times ULN
• Negative serum pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of study drug in female subjects of childbearing potential. Agreement to use a highly effective method of birth control throughout the study period and 3 months thereafter for sexually active males and females of childbearing potentia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active malignancy in the last five years
• Pregnancy, breast feeding
• HIV infection
• Brain metastasis
• Concomitant use of corticosteroids or valproic acid
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness
• Diagnosis of uveal melanoma
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2
• Ongoing effects from previous investigational drug studies or concomitant participation in other investigational drug studies
• Prior use of MS-275 or any other HDAC inhibitor
• History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to MS-275
• Anticancer therapy
• Active gastrointestinal conditions that might predispose for poor drug absorption
• Major surgery within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
• Hypophosphatemia < 2.5 mg/dL at screening, if not corrected in the screening period
• Medical, psychiatric or other conditions that compromise the patient's ability to understand the patient information, to give informed consent, to comply with the trial protocol, or to complete the study