As part of the UK National Health Service’s (NHS) efforts to expand the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad program, patients with advanced skin cancer in the country will have an accelerated opportunity to receive a new cancer vaccine as part of an NHS-run clinical trial.
Seven patient access sites have been initially registered, with the first patient referrals expected to begin next month.
The Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad program allows eligible patients to participate in vaccine development trials at the nearest participating hospital, according to The Guardian. The initiative aims to provide cancer treatments to 10,000 patients in England by the year 2030.
The vaccine—known as iSCIB1+—helps the immune system recognize melanoma skin cancer cells, enabling it to respond more effectively to immunotherapy.
Skin cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK, accounting for approximately 4% of all new cancer cases.
The program has already helped thousands of NHS patients take part in personalized cancer vaccine trials for bowel cancer, with over 350 individuals selected to participate. The program has now expanded to include a trial for skin cancer treatment. Its goal is to provide personalized cancer treatments to 10,000 patients in England by 2030.
Source: Al Jazeera