For many people living with advanced skin cancer, new treatment options are rare. But a world-first clinical trial conducted through GMR in partnership with the Cyril Gilbert Cancer Centre at Greenslopes Private Hospital is giving patients new hope.

The six-year global study tested a novel immunotherapy drug, Unloxcyt™ (cosibelimab), for people with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), a form of skin cancer, whose disease was not curable with surgery or radiation. The clinical trial, led by Principal Investigator Dr Margaret McGrath, Medical Oncologist, found that about half of the patients experienced a significant reduction in tumour size, with results often lasting more than two years.

“Cutaneous SCCs are particularly sensitive to immunotherapy, and it is fantastic to see such wonderful results for our patients. These cancers can cause significant pain and disfigurement, especially in the head and neck area. Unloxcyt is an antibody that not only works by blocking the pathway that allows cancer cells to hide from the body’s immune cells but also helps the body’s immune cells destroy cancer cells directly. Very few people have to stop treatment due to side effects and it can be used safely in the elderly population which is so important with this disease.”

For 88-year-old Robert Bidwell, the trial was life-changing. After being diagnosed with CSCC that had already affected his nose, eye and ear, Robert faced the prospect of losing his left eye. Then he met Dr McGrath.

“I could tell Maggie really cared,” he said. “She explained everything clearly and thought I’d be a good candidate for the trial. I was sceptical at first, but I didn’t have anything to lose.”

After months of treatment, Robert’s tumour shrank, and he avoided the surgery that would have cost him his sight.

“I finished treatment 14 months ago. Look at me now. I saved my eye and my life,” he said.

Robert credits his recovery to the dedication of Dr McGrath, the GMR clinical trials team and the Cyril Gilbert Cancer Centre. “Everyone was fantastic—the care, the communication, everything. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given.”

GMR CEO Miriam Kent said the study represents the best of what collaborative medical research can achieve.

“We’re proud to work alongside clinicians who are transforming treatment outcomes for patients facing some of the toughest cancer diagnoses.”

For patients like Robert, that transformation is already real and life‑changing.

Find out more about our Clinical Trials Unit