In a new James clinical trial, the influenza vaccine is injected directly into the melanoma of a patient. In this episode, Contreras, a James surgical oncologist, explains how he expanded upon a basic concept that has been around for decades to create this clinical trial. The idea is that while the influenza vaccine will not have a direct effect on the melanoma, “it puts the entire immune system on high alert and it is better able to recognize any foreign cells in the body, which in this case are the melanoma cells,” he said. The clinical trial started a few months ago and enrolls patients with both early-stage and later-stage melanomas. For the patients with early-stage melanomas, the vaccine is administered before surgery, with the hope that it will shrink the tumor. For patients with the later stages of this disease, the vaccine is combined with immunotherapy “to augment and further enhance what we’re already doing,” Contreras said.

Because the clinical trial is in the early stages, regulations prohibit Contreras from discussing the specific results. However, he said he remains hopeful the influenza vaccine will be an effective form of treatment for patients with melanomas, could see application around the world, especially in poorer countries, and could potentially be used to treat other forms of cancer.