Scancell Holdings PLC's (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) chief scientist, Professor Lindy Durrant, hailed results from the ongoing SCOPE trial for advanced melanoma as “excellent”.
The study tested Scancell's SCIB1 immunotherapy in combination with two checkpoint inhibitor drugs, ipilimumab and nivolumab, in 25 patients.
At six months, 80% of the patients remained free from disease progression, a key indicator of treatment success.
Of these, 20% achieved complete remission, with all signs of cancer disappearing. The overall disease control rate, including stable disease or tumour shrinkage, was 84%.
Additionally, 72% of patients showed significant tumour reduction, which continues to improve with time.
These outcomes compare favourably to results from using the checkpoint inhibitors alone.
Progression-free survival for such treatments typically stands at 65%, with 16% achieving complete remission.
The higher response rates in this trial suggest the SCIB1 combination therapy may enhance treatment durability and effectiveness.
Dr Heather Shaw, an oncologist at University College Hospital in London, described SCIB1 as a promising addition to current treatments, noting its lack of serious side effects and potential to improve first-line therapy for advanced melanoma patients.
Durrant added: "The SCOPE study continues to yield excellent results with a PFS of 80% and five patients now achieving a complete response.
"We are particularly impressed with the progression-free survival data as this will be the primary endpoint of the next trial, a phase II/III randomised, adapted trial, and the key outcome for product registration."
The evaluation is ongoing, with additional patient groups testing SCIB1 alongside another immunotherapy drug, pembrolizumab, and a next-generation vaccine, iSCIB1+.
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer, and improving its treatment is a critical goal for researchers. These findings provide hope for better options for patients with advanced disease.