ASCI* in melanoma treatment
A new type of immunotherapy, called ASCI* (Antigen-Specific Cancer Immunotherapeutics), is being developed as a potential new melanoma skin cancer treatment.
ASCI* works by educating our own natural immune system to fight cancer. It uses substances called a cancer antigen and an Adjuvant System to trigger and enhance an immune response against the cancer.
One of the antigens in melanoma is called MAGE-A3. It is found in various cancers, including 65% of all melanoma skin cancers.
Why ASCI* with MAGE-A3?
MAGE-A3 antigen is a good candidate for a potential new melanoma treatment because it is:
- • A genuine cancer-specific antigen, present in 65% of patients with melanoma
- • Not found on the surface of normal cells
- • Can be detected using appropriate laboratory tests
- • Present in both early and advanced stages of the disease
MAGE-A3 ASCI* is still in clinical development and not yet approved for use outside of a clinical trial. Early studies have shown that it has potential for the treatment of melanoma. This has prompted the launch of the DERMA clinical study. DERMA is a large international study that will assess how well MAGE-A3 ASCI* works in patients with stage 3B-3C melanoma with macroscopic lymph node involvement, and any side effects it may cause. Macroscopic lymph node involvement means that cancer can be detected in the lymph nodes without a microscope.
If you have been diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma and you are interested in taking part in the DERMA study, why not discuss it with your doctor? Use the link on the right of this page to find out more about the study and how to participate.
Next: Melanoma clinical trials: find out more about the DERMA study
