The trial sponsored by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust is testing a drug called cemiplimab, which has shown promising results in treating this disease.
BCC is usually slow-growing and treatable, but some cases can become advanced and difficult to manage due its aggressive nature. Traditional treatments like surgery and radiotherapy are not suitable for these advanced cases and patients have limited treatment options. The IMPACT trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cemiplimab as a first-line treatment for patients with laBCC.
One of the patients in the trial, a 61-year-old man, diagnosed with BCC on his face in September 2020, experienced extensive local recurrences by August 2023. Surgery and radiotherapy were not viable due to the tumour’s location. It would have left him with an unacceptable quality of life. He joined the trial in February 2024 after discussions with doctors at LTHT and the research team called wONEderful.
Following his first dose of cemiplimab, he began to see positive changes after the second cycle, with significant shrinkage of his skin lesions. By the fifth cycle, all visible skin lesions had disappeared, marking a remarkable turnaround in his condition. This patient’s story is a beacon of hope for many battling laBCC who surgery or radiotherapy. His experience underscores the potential of cemiplimab to provide a viable, less invasive treatment alternative, offering patients improved outcomes and quality of life. He has since become a passionate advocate for cancer research, expressing deep gratitude to the researchers and health professionals who have supported him.
The IMPACT trial continues to enroll patients and gather data, aiming to solidify cemiplimab’s role in transforming the treatment landscape for laBCC. This promising development offers new hope to those affected by this challenging disease, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Dr Ramasamy Satiavani, Clinical Oncology Consultant at LTHT said:
“The patient group have had no alternative treatment previously, hence this is a great opportunity. Seeing how the quality of life is maintained alongside excellent response to treatment is very encouraging and promising”.
Dr. Amarnath Challapalli, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and the Chief Investigator of the trial said,
“It is very heartening to see early signs of clinical benefit from Cemiplimab and that it may potentially be a treatment option for patients with laBCC.”
About the IMPACT Trial
The IMPACT trial is a phase 2 clinical trial focused on evaluating the efficacy and safety of cemiplimab as a first-line treatment for patients with laBCC. The clinical trial is led by Dr Amarnath Challapalli (Chief-Investigator) and conducted by an Investigator-led research team in Bristol, the trial aims to offer new hope to patients with limited treatment options. The clinical trial is currently open at 6 sites nationwide, with 6 in set-up and will be likely to be recruiting for 2 years. At the end of the trial, the data will be analysed, and the results of the trial will be published in a peer reviewed journal and disseminated to patients. More information about the trial can be found on the Cancer Research UK website.