Melanoma, also known as skin cancer, is a cancer that commonly, but not always, develops from over exposure to the sun. CTRT funds research into melanoma with the research team led by Dr Paul Nathan and Dr Heather Shaw. We have a dedicated team that run all aspects of clinical trials from patient care to data management. 80% of their salaries are covered by charitable funds and commercial trial income and therefore our trial patients have access to the most innovative treatments because of the generosity of contributors to CTRT.

Rarely, melanoma can start in the back of the eye. Uveal melanoma is distinct from skin melanoma and is usually associated with particularly poor outcomes.

We have been leading the clinical development of a novel immunotherapy drug called Tebentafusp. Dr Nathan is the chief investigator on the recently completed phase III study and the whole CTRT supported study team has been very involved. Patients travelled from many parts of the country to come to Mount Vernon. Fortunately, we have shown that the drug significantly improves survival in patients with advanced disease. Immunocore, a company that has developed the drug, are applying for licences with regulatory authorities worldwide because of this data.

CTRT have part funded the PRIMM Study which in February 2023 proved that a Mediterranean diet is associated with improved efficacy of immunotherapy for patients with melanoma.

The Mediterranean diet – enriched in whole grains, fish, nuts, fruit, legumes and vegetables – is a widely recommended model of healthy eating and has shown positive effects in multiple previous studies investigating other indications.

This is encouraging news for melanoma patients and adds to a previous study by Dr Karla Lee, also funded by CTRT, which showed that the gut microbiome is implicated in the response to immunotherapy also.

To read the full journal articles on each study, please click below.