Sydney hospital may be close to melanoma breakthrough

GDO Report

The treatment has been developed by Professor Barry Allen at St George Hospitals' Centre for Experimental Radiation Oncology (ERO).

"We have I believe, the potential to have a major impact on the prognosis for advanced melanoma," Professor Allen said.

A molecule is injected into the arm that travels through the blood stream, seeking out cancer cells, then emitting radiation to kill them.

In a trial of 21 patients with advanced melanoma, two-thirds had a good response to the treatment.

Doctors say to see a response in patients with advanced cancer is promising.

Patient Peter Dalton was diagnosed with melanoma two years ago and was one of the first to have the new treatment.

The 20 melanomas on Mr Dalton's leg have completely regressed, and he has received a second round of the treatment.

"It's got rid of my worry about melanoma because I realised they can be treated," he said.

After the success of this trial, researchers now want to use the therapy on patients with breast prostate and pancreatic cancer.

Those trials are planned for next year.

"New treatments must be looked for and any new idea, any good science like this must be followed up," New South Wales chief cancer officer Professor Jim Bishop said.