Philip’s second chance at life thanks to cancer trial

Little did the now-retired builder know that a childhood spent unprotected in the Australian sun would lead to him going on a clinical trial to save his life for skin cancer in adulthood.

“Growing up in Australia, it’s what we did. We didn’t know the damage endless hours in the sun would do, and I never thought it would become an issue later on in life,” he said.

After discovering a lump on his shoulder, Philip went to a dermatologist to have it removed. However, it quickly came back and was diagnosed as a Squamous Cell Carcinoma – a form of skin cancer.

He was referred to The Alfred Hospital where he underwent surgery to have it removed, again, followed up with six weeks of radiotherapy.

And just when he thought it was gone for good, it once again started to come back.

“The surgery and follow-up treatment were pretty brutal to be honest and clinical trials had been mentioned to me following the surgery, but I hadn’t really taken it onboard,” he said.

“I don’t think I even knew what a clinical trial was, I had good health all my life so it’s not something I’d ever given a single thought,” he said.

Clinical trials are research investigations in which people volunteer to test new treatments, interventions or tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage various diseases or medical conditions.

Alfred Health’s Deputy Director of Medical Oncology Dr Andrew Haydon recommended a clinical trial to Philip when the carcinoma was appearing again following treatment.

“Initially, he told me about a trial for those where it hasn’t come back following treatment, however, that changed to going on a trial where it had come back. At that point, I had no other option, a clinical trial was my last option,” Philip said.

Philip was put on the CERPASS Study by Dr Haydon, who is also the Principal Investigator, which is a randomised and controlled study where Cemiplimab (type of cancer drug) is intravenously administered every three weeks along with biological therapy to slow the growth of the cancer.

For 12 months, Philip, who was fortunate to live 15 minutes away, came in to The Alfred every three weeks for treatment, scans, tests and monitoring.

“It was a pretty intensive program, I felt ok in the early stages, but I did notice a few side-effects at about the eight week mark but I wouldn’t say it was unbearable. Pretty early on we could start to see it {the carcinoma} reducing in size and that was so encouraging,” he said.

At 12-months, the cancer was gone.

“I was down to my last chance, this has saved my life - simple. I have a lot to live for so I was at the point where I would say yes to the options given to me. I’m so grateful to Andrew and his team, I can’t thank them enough, the entire process, care, monitoring was outstanding,” he said.

Dr Haydon said Alfred Health is currently leading the way nationally with this particular trial with seven patients completing, or currently on, the trial.

He said it’s promising to see patients like Philip having success with this treatment.

“Clinical trials are very important for a number of reasons. Most importantly, trials allow us to improve the overall treatment of our patients, but they also give our patients access to new treatments that may not be available outside of a trial for a number of years.”

“In Philip’s case, we knew the best option for him was to be treated with Cemiplimab however this drug is not available yet on the PBS and the trial gave him access to what has turned out to be a life- saving therapy,” Dr Haydon said.

Find out more about clinical trials at The Alfred.