Skin cancer patients could join Southampton vaccine project

Patients with advanced skin cancer could be fast-tracked to take part in a “revolutionary” trial of a new cancer vaccine.

The needle-free injection boosts the immune system’s response and helps it attack and recognise cancer cells to help stop the disease returning.

The trial is being coordinated by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, which is based at the city’s university, and is aiming to expand the number of patients able to take part.

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and accounts for about 4% of all new cancer cases but research shows it is on the rise.

The NHS will work with Oxford-based life sciences company Scancell to widen access for patients at seven sites across England, including in Southampton, with the first patients set to be referred in May.

The work is being done as part of the NHS’s Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP), a trial to help find treatments for patients at their nearest participating NHS site.

Grandfather-of-four Paul Thomas, 63, from New Milton, Hampshire, was first diagnosed with advanced skin cancer in 2017 and the disease kept returning following treatment.

He was put on the trial in July and said he felt lucky to be included.

“Thankfully I was still quite fit and since I’ve been on it, my tumours have all shrunk. Every time I go for a scan they seem to be shrinking, which is very exciting,” Mr Thomas said.

“I’m really hoping for total eradication of my cancer, as opposed to being put in remission and I’m feeling optimistic.”

Potential participants first need a blood test to determine their tissue type. It looks at genes that control how the immune system works which varies from person to person.

Prof Gareth Griffiths, director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, said: “We hope that by being part of this ground-breaking programme we can help to increase referrals for this trial and give more patients with advanced melanoma access to new, potentially life-saving treatments.”