A groundbreaking advancement in late-stage melanoma treatment has emerged, showcasing significant improvements in survival rates from recent clinical trials. The new therapeutic approach, which is set to be subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), has the potential to transform treatments across various life-threatening cancers.
Matthew Croxford, a 52-year-old father, faced a dire prognosis when diagnosed with a sizable tumour. He participated in an innovative trial involving collaboration between Australian and Dutch researchers, marking a pivotal moment in cancer treatment strategies. This novel therapy empowers the immune system to better fight cancer by mobilising its own defences prior to surgery. Professor Georgina Long from the Melanoma Institute likened this process to training sniffer dogs to identify specific scents, illustrating how pre-surgical immunotherapy can enhance the body’s ability to combat cancer.
In a study involving 423 patients with Stage 3 melanoma, two groups were compared: one received standard treatment (surgery followed by immunotherapy), while the other was given immunotherapy prior to surgery. Remarkably, those treated first with immunotherapy demonstrated an extraordinarily low chance of cancer recurrence, less than five per cent. The success of this method has led to its approval for PBS funding, a first in the world.
Melanoma incidence in Australia is alarmingly high, with a new diagnosis every 30 minutes and a death occurring every six hours. Innovative treatments like this shift the narrative from a typically grim diagnosis towards a more hopeful outlook for patient survival. Croxford expressed his relief, stating that he now feels effectively cancer-free without any side effects from the treatment.
The revolutionary approach is also being considered for other types of cancers, including lung, triple-negative breast cancer, kidney, and head and neck cancers. The listing of this new Stage 3 melanoma treatment on the PBS is anticipated in the coming months, heralding a new era of cancer care.