Provided herein are methods for treating uveal melanoma in a subject in need thereof by administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits expression of FAK protein to the subject. In one aspect, the agent that inhibits expression of FAK protein comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or yet further consists of a gene editing agent, such as for example one or more of: RNA interference (RNAi), CRISPR/Cas, ZFN, and/or TALEN. In another aspect, the agent is VS-4718. Also described herein are kits comprising, or alternatively consisting essentially of, or yet further consisting of one or more of: agents that inhibit expression of FAK protein, siRNAs, shRNAs, miRNAs, nucleases and/or guide RNA sequences for carrying out the methods of this disclosure, and optional instructions for use.