One-time therapy may be ‘transformative option' for treating deadly skin cancer
People with a deadly form of skin cancer could live longer with an innovative one-time treatment that harnesses a patient's own immune system to fight the disease, researchers have suggested.
Almost one in five patients with advanced melanoma survived for five years after receiving lifileucel, with tumours shrinking in the majority of cases, a trial has found.
Lifileucel is a tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, which involves isolating T cells – a type of white blood cell – from tumours and growing them in a lab before infusing them back into the patient where they can recognise and fight cancer.
It could become a 'transformative option' for patients with this type of skin cancer, experts said.
Cancer Research UK estimates that there are about 20,800 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in the UK every year.
Advanced melanoma, also known as stage four melanoma, means the disease has spread to other parts of the body.
The C-144-01 trial involved 153 patients from Europe and the US, and was led by The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
At a five-year follow up, 19.7% of patients were still alive with no new or delayed side effects.
The trial also found that tumours shrank in almost four out of five (79.3%) patients, while one in 20 (5.9%) showed no evidence of cancer.
Dr Andrew Furness, a consultant medical oncologist who led the trial at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'While current forms of immunotherapy have revolutionised the treatment of cancer in recent years, overall these benefit a minority rather than majority of treated patients.
'Results from this trial have shown that TIL therapy may change the outlook for people with advanced melanoma.'
Lifileucel is not yet approved for use in the UK, but was given the green light by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced melanoma in February 2024.
Trials are also looking at using the TIL therapy in combination with pembrolizumab, sold under the brand name Keytruda, for people with advanced melanoma.
Keytruda works by targeting and blocking a protein known as PD-L1, which is found on T cells, to help the immune system fight cancer more effectively.
Dr Furness added: 'We're continuing our research into the use of TIL therapy, as well as other forms of cellular therapy, across a broader spectrum of cancers including advanced lung, liver, ovary, skin and testicular subtypes as well as soft tissue sarcoma.'
Study co-author James Larkin, consultant medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden and professor of precision cancer therapeutics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: 'These significant results offer a compelling case for TIL therapy as a transformative option in melanoma care.
'The study demonstrates that for patients with few options left, a single infusion of lifileucel can provide a deep and lasting response and even complete remission in some cases. This marks a major advance in how we think about treating solid tumours.'
Zoe Phillips, 46, from Dorset took part in the TIL therapy trial at The Royal Marsden.
She was diagnosed with stage four melanoma in 2023 after previously being treated for skin cancer two years earlier.
'Six weeks after my first TIL therapy treatment, my scans showed that the tumours had completely disappeared,' Ms Phillips said.
'Before coming to The Royal Marsden I was told that I would probably die, so hearing that my treatment had been successful was amazing, I was over the moon.
'I come back to the hospital regularly for pembrolizumab immunotherapy treatment and currently still have no evidence of cancer.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Woman's easy to dismiss problem was deadly cancer linked to common infection that's soaring in young people
A mother-of-two has told of the shock of being diagnosed with deadly mouth cancer while seven months pregnant, despite no family history or obvious risk factors. When Holly Stubbs, from County Durham, noticed a small lump in her tongue, she assumed it was related to pregnancy hormones. She first visited a dentist, who referred her to an oral health specialist, who confirmed her suspicions that it was nothing to worry about. The doctor assured her that, as she didn't drink alcohol or smoke, it was likely a 'pregnancy tumour, known medically as a pregnancy granuloma. The non-cancerous overgrowth of tissue is found in five per cent of pregnant women's gums and tongues. However, the doctor removed a sample of the growth and sent it off for a biopsy just to be sure. At the beginning of May, the results revealed the devastating truth—she had mouth cancer. She said: 'It's just bad luck. It's one of those things. I have no risk factors, but here we are, and we know we haven't removed it all.' Ms Stubbs' diagnosis, shared with 50,000 viewers on TikTok, comes amid a rise in cancers of the mouth and throat in younger people over the last decade. Cancer Research UK data shows a 60 per cent rise in women and a 34 per cent rise in men aged 25 to 49, between 1993 and 2019, developing head and neck cancers, including those of the oral cavity. And a 2024 report by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the University of Sheffield found the rise in head and neck cancers was driven by a rise in oropharyngeal cancer. This is disease that starts in the part of the throat just behind the mouth and includes tonsil cancer and cancer in the back of the tongue. Doctors have found that oral sex is the biggest risk factor for this type of cancer — outpacing smoking, alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet. This is because the acts can lead to an HPV infection at the back of the throat or near the tonsil. HPV is a common virus spread through close contact, including sex, and is usually harmless, but in some cases—for reasons not fully understood—it can trigger cancerous changes in healthy tissue. Some 70 per cent of cases of mouth and throat cancers are caused by HPV, according to Cancer Research UK. Experts say those with multiple oral sex partners have an up to nine-fold increased risk of throat cancer. Currently, mouth cancer is the sixth most common type in the UK, with 8,846 new cases diagnosed each year, and around 3,000 deaths. There is a vaccine for HPV which is known to help slash the risk of oral cancer. It is more than 80 percent effective and available in much of the developed world. It is a two-dose vaccine now available for children between ages 11 and 12. The shots come 12 months apart. For people who missed that window, a three-dose shot is available to people 15 to 26. The vaccine has been offered to girls in England and Wales since September 2008 before being widened to include boys in 2019. On the day of Ms Stubbs' diagnosis, the business owner had seven hospital appointments. This included giving her blood thinners as both surgery and pregnancy put her at a higher risk of blood clots. To protect her unborn baby's lungs, she had to have steroid injections as her child had to be delivered sooner than expected. The mother also needed an operation to remove part of her tongue—including the cancer—at 33 weeks pregnant, which left her temporarily unable to talk or eat. The mother revealed the heartbreak of the moment she broke the news to her two young children. 'We've had to give them as many details as we can, without, you know, traumatising them—We're going to just take one day at a time,' she said.' A week ago, during an appointment with her cancer specialist, she learned that the cancer was larger than expected. While doctors were confident they removed all the cancer from her tongue, they said there is a 30 per cent chance it has reached the lymph nodes, meaning it is likely to spread to other areas of the body. The surgeons will perform a second operation to remove them and send the samples off for testing. Ms Stubbs is now awaiting the birth of baby before her next surgery. It is important to catch the early signs of mouth cancer for a better chance of survival as it can spread rapidly. Dentists can help spot the early signs, as can doctors. Tell-tale symptoms include ulcers that last longer than a fortnight, swelling or lumps, red or white patches, loose teeth, chronic sore throat and numbness.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Medik8 unveils 'miracle' new serum that 'defends against premature ageing'
The results-driven brand has added a powerhouse new serum that boasts an "intelligent" combination of ingredients. Looking to target dull skin and wrinkles? Then many experts experts would agree that it is worth purchasing skincare products with vitamin C One that has become a staple for many beauty enthusiasts is Medik8's C-Tetra range, with the celebrity approved brand's range of serums said to "visibly reduce" wrinkles and hyperpigmentation within four weeks. Now there's a brand new addition, as the firm says the "wait is over" after adding the C-Tetra Advanced to the line-up, and, owing to Medik8's reputation, it has been hailed as a "miracle in a bottle." Retailing at £69 for a 30ml bottle, this serum has been designed to be used in a morning skincare routine, using a powerful formula that works to "defend against premature skin ageing and achieve accelerated visible skin brightening." Said to be infused with a next-generation combination of 20 percent vitamin C and cutting edge phyto exosomes, it helps to shield and improve the skin from any environmental aggressors that can cause early signs of ageing. The "intelligent" formula provides smarter, not harsher, results, with skin tone said to be "visibly brightened" in just seven days, leaving a soft, smooth, even complexion. It also offers a unique texture, acting as a gel-serum that is said to be "fast absorbing", leaving the skin "instantly refreshed", while also hydrating, priming and smoothing. Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced, 30ml £69 Medik8 Buy here Product Description While the new Medik8 serum is a unique addition to the market, there are a few other powerhouses on the high street. This includes The Ordinary's £14.28 Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum (30ml) that uses eight technologies to brighten and protect. Another that is fairly new to the UK is Olay's Super Serum that costs £18.14 for a 30ml on Amazon. The first of its kind to offer five ingredients, including vitamin C, it offers a multitude of benefits that range from brightening to anti-ageing. Skincare buffs keen to know more about the new C-Tetra Advanced might be eager to know that it has already earned a 4.8 rating from those who managed to sample it, with praise saying it "minimises" lines and leaves skin "brighter." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A five-star review read: "This was an absolute treat to use. Applied smoothly, visibly made my complexion look radiant and bright. In the morning I looked nice and fresh, smooth looking skin reduced the look of wrinkles. Another miracle in a bottle by Medik8." A second read: "I absolutely love this product, within a few days my skin looked so much brighter & smoother plus my wrinkles seemed to have reduced, in my experience it's not often you see a noticeable improvement so quickly with skincare products, even my husband said I look fresh faced!!! Beauty deal of the week It's almost Father's Day, and are you in need of some gift inspiration? If you don't want to buy a last minute gift, then we have you covered, as a bottle of aftershave is always a good shout and Debenhams has just cut the Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Eau De Toilette from £92 to just £55.20 for a large 100ml bottle. There is also a smaller 60ml bottle that is a bit cheaper, with the price being reduced by 37 per cent from £68 to £43. Since reviews say it "stands out from the crowd", it's a deal worth bagging for dad. Launched in 2006, this YSL fragrance has been described as "a fragrance for the urban and charismatic 21st century male". For the guy in your life who likes to smell a little different, then this is the bottle to reach for. It opens on sparkling notes of bergamot, zesty cedarwood and Chinese ginger that has been met with the middle notes of violet leaves and basil flowers, offering a floral and spicy contrast. It is said to end on base notes of sandalwood, Virginia cedar wood and Haitian vetiver to "highlight this charismatic and magnetic fragrance." Those who want to stand out from the crowd will appreciate the YSL L'Homme Eau De Toilette, as it has earned a 4.7 rating from Debenhams fragrance buffs who have said it is "unusual" and "always gets compliments." One positive review read: "An unusual and outstanding men's perfume! What an interesting fresh yet a hint of spice men's perfume! It's different. Stands out from the crowd. Purchase the Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Eau De Toilette (100ml) in the Debenhams sale here. "It's light & quickly absorbed so very easy to apply. C Tetra Advanced really made a difference & I will be making a purchase when it's launched!" Someone else praising the results said: "My skin looked visibly improved after four weeks of use in terms of ageing and minimising lines and wrinkles. It also gave it a radiance that made it look healthy and younger. I can't recommend this product enough!" A few users haven't been keen on the texture or the scent, as one such three-star review read: "Although this serum absorbs quickly I was not keen on the smell and found the consistency too thin for my liking." Although, this wasn't the case for most reviewers, as a fan of the formula said: "The C-Tetra advanced is the perfect consistency goes onto the skin nice and smoothly and is not greasy. It has a lovely smell and gives a nice radiance to the face." Purchase the new Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced (30ml) for £69 here.
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Key takeaways from world's largest cancer conference in Chicago
Doctors, scientists and researchers shared new findings on ways to tackle cancer at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, the world's largest cancer conference. The event in Chicago, attended by about 44,000 health professionals, featured more than 200 sessions on this year's theme, Driving Knowledge to Action: Building a Better Future. Here is a roundup of the key studies. An immunotherapy drug could help some cancer patients live years longer without the disease getting worse or coming back, a trial found. Pembrolizumab, sold under the brand name Keytruda, kept head and neck cancers at bay for five years, compared to 30 months with standard care. It also cut the risk of the disease returning in another part of the body. A second study showed people with a deadly form of skin cancer could live longer with an innovative one-time immunotherapy. Almost one in five patients with advanced melanoma survived for five years after receiving lifileucel, with tumours shrinking in the majority of cases, the trial found. Car T-cell therapy is a new form of immunotherapy where a patient's own T-cells – a type of white blood cell – are tweaked in a lab to target and kill cancer cells. The designer cells are then infused back into their bloodstream to fight the disease. One trial found cancer patients treated by Car T-cell therapy can live 40% longer. The therapy has already proved successful in treating blood cancers. Now results from the world's first randomised controlled trial of Car T-cell therapy in solid tumours suggest it could be transformative in the fight against these cancers too. Solid tumours represent about 90% of all cancers, including breast, lung and pancreatic cancer. In the trial hailed as a 'milestone' by experts, patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer treated with Car T-cell therapy lived on average about 40% longer than patients who received standard care. A second Car T-cell therapy shrank tumours in 62% of patients with recurrent glioblastoma, a rare event for a fatal brain cancer with few treatment options, researchers reported in Chicago. 'Seeing recurrent [glioblastoma] tumours shrink like this is extraordinary, because the immunotherapy drugs that we've tried in the past have been unable to do that,' said the study's lead author, Dr Stephen Bagley, of the University of Pennsylvania. In a world first, doctors announced at the conference that thousands of cancer patients in England would benefit from a DNA blood test that saves lives by fast-tracking them on to personalised treatments. The liquid biopsy looks for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) to find specific genetic variations of cancer. The NHS will offer it to patients with lung and breast cancer – two of the most common forms of the disease. Rapid results mean patients can immediately be offered drugs and treatments specifically tailored to the genetic profile of their disease, significantly increasing their survival chances and paving the way for a new era of precision medicine. Exercise slashes the risk of death in cancer patients by more than a third, a landmark trial found. Physical activity could also prevent the disease coming back and stop new tumours developing, as well as lifting mood, reducing fatigue and boosting strength. The world's first randomised clinical trial to specifically evaluate if a structured exercise regime after treatment could reduce the risk of recurrence or new cancers in patients took place over more than a decade. Hailed as gamechanging by experts, the results show it could. The trial found patients had a 37% lower risk of death and a 28% lower risk of their cancer coming back or new cancers developing, compared with patients who received only health advice. 'When we saw the results, we were just astounded,' said the study's lead author, Dr Christopher Booth, of Queen's University in Kingston, Canada. Margaret Tubridy was one of 889 patients with colon cancer recruited to the trial from six countries – the UK, US, Australia, France, Canada and Israel. Five years after her diagnosis, she told the Guardian she was now free of cancer and healthy, with no signs of the disease coming back. Amid a series of breakthroughs aimed at tackling the most common cancer in women, doctors were told a new drug can stop some breast cancer tumours before they grow. A trial showed that camizestrant stops cancer cells from using hormones to grow, which helps patients stay well longer and delays the need for chemotherapy. It was the first global study to show that using blood tests to find early signs of cancer resistance to treatment helps patients. The study looked at patients who had hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, which is about 70% of cases. Results showed patients given camizestrant reduced their chances of cancer progression by 56%, compared with standard therapies. 'This is going to be very impactful for our patients,' said Dr Hope Rugo, the head of breast medical oncology at City of Hope hospital in Duarte, California. A second trial found that a new triple therapy for aggressive, advanced breast cancer slows the progression of the disease, delays the need for further chemotherapy and helps patients live longer. Artificial intelligence could help end a 'postcode lottery' for a life-extending treatment for prostate cancer, researchers said. Abiraterone is a hormone therapy described as a 'gamechanger' that works by blocking the production of testosterone, which fuels prostate cancer growth. It has already helped hundreds of thousands with advanced prostate cancer to live longer. But some countries, including England, have stopped short of offering the 'spectacular' drug more widely to men whose disease has not spread. A team from the US, UK and Switzerland have built an AI test that shows which men would most likely benefit from abiraterone. The breakthrough will enable healthcare systems to roll out the drug to more men, and spare others unnecessary treatment.
