The Morgan Mansell Prize (Young Melanoma Researcher of the Year) is a prize initiated by Melanoma Research Victoria and awarded annually for the most outstanding research project that could lead to a cure for melanoma.
The future of melanoma and skin research is bright. MSCAN is pleased to showcase the work of Australia’s awesome researchers. In this series, the three finalists of the Morgan Mansell Prize provide a summary of their research.
Dr. Jennifer Soon prize winning research was aimed at better support assessments of new cancer treatments in order to improve access to novel therapies.
It involves horizon scanning to identify promising medicines with the hope that early detection of potential medicines can result in better outcomes and streamline what is often a cumbersome process.
Horizon scanning is a method to identify upcoming medicines early on. Currently in Australia, there is no national process for this. We developed and implemented a horizon scanning method that involved collaboration with consumers and clinicians to create criteria for evaluating these medicines. A number of medicines for melanoma were chosen, refined by clinical experts, and prioritised based on these criteria.
For melanoma, the top five impactful medicines were identified:
- adjuvant pembrolizumab for resected high-risk stage II disease,
- adjuvant nivolumab for resected high-risk stage II disease,
- neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy for resectable stage III disease,
- first-line relatlimab and nivolumab for advanced melanoma,
- entrectinib for NTRK-fusion positive advanced cancer.
Since performing this horizon scan, the following drug therapies have been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme: combination relatlimab and nivolumab as first-line treatment in unresectable Stage IV; neoadjuvant pembrolizumab for people with resectable Stage III and adjuvant pembrolizumab for resected high-risk Stage II disease The short-term goal is to use this information for health economic modelling, predicting patient usage and system impact. In the long term, the aim is to formally integrate horizon scanning into Australia’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process. This proactive approach will enable patients to have timely access to innovative medicines.
We have presented this work at the Medicines of Tomorrow Horizon Scanning Forum organised by Medicines Australia in 2022 as part of the Australian Government’s HTA Review.
You can find out more about this forum here.
About the Morgan Mansell Prize
Morgan Mansell is lovingly remembered as a smart, independent woman treasured by her family and friends and bravely inspired many seriously ill people across the world through her frank and candid discussions about her health and her battle with melanoma at The Alfred Hospital. Morgan was passionate about supporting others who were struggling with health issues and used her beautiful sense of humour to give hope and positivity to those around her.
Morgan recently lost her battle with melanoma at just 25 years of age. This prize is a tribute to her passion for melanoma research and working towards a cure.
Next:
an initiative for all of us to ‘be all over melanoma’ in memory of 25 year old Morgan Mansell, who sadly lost her life to melanoma.