Major skin cancer vaccine change unveiled as NHS fast-tracks groundbreaking trials

A groundbreaking new vaccine will be available to hundreds of skin cancer patients in a radical new programme, the announces today.

People with advanced conditions will be fast-tracked into trials of the new melanoma injection, known as iSCIB1+ (Immunobody). has hailed the breakthrough, saying the innovation is "nothing short of lifesaving".

The needle-free injection helps to boost the immune system by helping it recognise, attack and "remember" cancer cells. The NHS says the move is an expansion of the world-first Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP), which hopes to recruit up to 10,000 patients for cancer treatment trials by the end of the decade.

The first skin cancer patients are expected to be referred next month after the NHS partnered with UK life sciences firm Scancell to widen access. Around 17,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, and around 2,300 die from the disease.

The Prime Minister said: “This kind of innovation is nothing short of life-saving and I want to see more of these world-leading treatments being developed in the UK." Half of melanoma patients respond to immunotherapy, but those who do not are at greater risk of their condition progressing.

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NHS national cancer director, Professor Peter Johnson, said: "Skin cancer can have a devastating impact and we know that cancer vaccines have the potential to revolutionise cancer care for patients in this country and across the - and to save more lives.

"It's incredibly exciting that the NHS is expanding its world-leading programme so more patients with different types of cancer could benefit from the development of new vaccines that could stop their cancer coming back." And the move has been welcomed by patients.

Grandfather-of-four Paul Thomas, 63, from New Milton, Hampshire - who has battled skin cancer since 2017 - said: "I'm really hoping for total eradication of my cancer, as opposed to being put in remission, and I'm feeling optimistic.

"The care I've had so far has been fantastic and the team that have looked after me have been superb, along with amazing support from my family, I'm so thankful." It comes a week after Mr Starmer announced the Government would launch a new health data research service to help accelerate lifesaving treatments.

Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: "Cancer vaccine research continues to show promise and the Cancer Vaccines Launch Pad is an important route to fast-track this into clinical trials.

“Research into targeted cancer treatments is vital. There are over 200 different types of cancer and it’s unlikely there will ever be a single cure that works for everyone. That’s why it’s vital that we support a wide range of research, so that more people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

And Susanna Daniels, chief executive of Melanoma Focus, said: “Melanoma skin cancer can be deadly and it’s sadly on the rise in the UK. As well as continuing to call for urgent action on prevention, we’re delighted to see progress in innovative treatments and very much welcome the expansion of this vaccine trial.

"The use of vaccines to treat melanoma is an exciting development and we will be encouraging eligible patients to take part in these ground-breaking trials.”

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