Patients with advanced melanoma in England will soon have fast-tracked access to a promising new cancer vaccine as part of the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) program. The initiative, which aims to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines, is expanding beyond its initial focus on bowel cancer to include trials for skin cancer patients.
The new DNA vaccine, known as iSCIB1+ (Immunobody), helps the immune system better recognize and respond to cancer cells. Administered as a needle-free injection into the skin or muscle for up to two years, the vaccine works by boosting immune response to existing immunotherapy treatments.
Addressing a Growing Health Challenge
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, accounting for approximately 4% of all new cancer cases. According to Cancer Research UK, new melanoma cases are projected to increase from 20,800 in the 2023-2025 period to an average of 26,500 cases between 2038 and 2040—a concerning rate of 33 cases per 100,000 people.
While about half of melanoma patients respond well to standard immunotherapy, those who don't are at higher risk of disease progression. The new vaccine specifically targets biomarkers found in melanoma tumors, acting as a flag to alert the immune system and trigger T-cell activation against cancer cells.
"Skin cancer can have a devastating impact and we know that cancer vaccines have the potential to revolutionize cancer care for patients in this country and across the world – and to save more lives," said NHS National Cancer Director Professor Peter Johnson. "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."
Trial Implementation and Patient Access
The phase II trial, known as SCOPE, is already underway with seven hospital sites initially registered and more expected to follow. The NHS CVLP, coordinated by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, aims to expand patient participation and recruit dozens of patients by October 2025.
To be eligible for the trial, advanced melanoma patients who haven't yet received treatment will first need a blood test to determine their tissue type. This test examines genes that control immune system function, which vary from person to person.
Dr. Nermeen Varawalla, Chief Medical Officer at Scancell, the UK life-sciences company partnering with the NHS on the trial, noted: "Recent clinical data has demonstrated that our potent, tumour-targeted 'off-the-shelf' cancer vaccine delivers strong efficacy, with the potential for meaningful long-term survival benefits in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma."
Early Success Stories
Paul Thomas, a 63-year-old grandfather of four from New Milton, Hampshire, represents an early success story from the trial. First diagnosed with advanced skin cancer in 2017, Thomas experienced recurring disease despite treatment. After joining the SCOPE trial last year, he has seen encouraging results.
"Thankfully I was still quite fit and since I've been on it, my tumours have all shrunk," Thomas shared. "Every time I go for a scan they seem to be shrinking, which is really exciting. I'm really hoping for total eradication of my cancer, as opposed to being put in remission, and I'm feeling optimistic."
Broader Implications for Cancer Treatment
The CVLP aims to provide up to 10,000 patients in England with personalized cancer treatments by 2030. By accelerating recruitment and expanding trial sites, researchers hope to progress faster and produce results more quickly.
Unlike some other cancer vaccines in development, the iSCIB1+ vaccine is not personalized to a patient's specific tumor. Instead, it targets common melanoma biomarkers, potentially making it more widely applicable and easier to deploy at scale.
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, welcomed the development: "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."
Government Support for Medical Innovation
The expansion of the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad aligns with the UK government's broader "Plan for Change" initiative, which aims to boost the country's life sciences sector by streamlining clinical trials and reducing regulatory barriers.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of such innovations: "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. This will accelerate the discovery of transformative treatments and improve services for patients, driving growth across the country while making sure as many people as possible can benefit from cutting-edge treatments."
Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, who has personally overcome skin cancer, added: "This innovative collaboration through our Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad could transform how we treat advanced melanoma. By fast-tracking eligible patients into clinical trials across the country, we're ensuring more people can access potentially life-saving innovations while supporting crucial research."
Prevention Remains Critical
Despite the promising advances in treatment, experts emphasize that prevention remains essential. Cancer Research UK believes around 17,000 melanoma cases every year are preventable, with the majority caused by excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.
As the NHS continues to expand its early detection efforts and innovative treatment options, the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad represents a significant step forward in the fight against melanoma and potentially other forms of cancer, offering new hope to thousands of patients across England.
