In 2022, Jenny from Portsmouth faced a life-changing diagnosis: melanoma. After joining an immunotherapy clinical trial at The Royal Marsden, her tumour has begun to shrink, and she is now preparing to take on the London Marathon 2026.
Getting a melanoma diagnosis
Jenny found what she thought was an itchy insect bite at the bottom of her back; the GP found a mole but told her it was nothing to worry about. Ten months later, after the mole started bleeding and weeping, dermatologists confirmed the mole was melanoma.
“It was such a shock to hear how advanced the melanoma was. The melanoma was 6.5mm deep and it had spread to my local lymph nodes in my left groin.
“I had surgery to remove the cancerous areas and following this, my results showed no evidence of disease. I underwent a year of targeted therapy which finished in June 2024 and had an ‘I beat cancer party’ to celebrate.”
Sadly, Jenny didn’t have the all-clear for long. Tests in her local hospital four months later found that the melanoma had returned and was in her right groin. The doctors found a lesion which they weren’t sure they could operate on as it was too close to some blood vessels.
Joining a TIL therapy clinical trial at The Royal Marsden
The surgeon at Jenny’s local hospital sought medical advice from Mr Dirk Strauss, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden. Mr Strauss confirmed that the lesion wasn’t operable, but if Jenny was interested, she could join a clinical trial called TILVANCE- 301. This involved TIL therapy treatment, which is a type of immunotherapy that harnesses the patient's own immune cells to attack and destroy cancer cells. The TILVANCE-301 trial is exploring combination TIL therapy using lifileucel, in combination with pembrolizumab.
“Deciding whether to join the trial was difficult – I had no idea what to expect. However, I knew of The Royal Marsden and that this was probably the best place for me to undergo treatment, so I decided to do the trial.”
Jenny started TIL therapy in March 2025. TIL therapy harnesses the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. The therapy involves isolating T cells from a site of cancer, expanding and activating these in a lab, before reinfusing back into the patient; these cells are then better able to recognise and attack cancer cells.
“I then had chemotherapy for five days in hospital – this was probably one of the easiest parts of treatment. My cells were delivered from America and transfused back into me with Interleukin-2 (IL-2).” (High-dose IL-2 is an immunotherapy that activates the immune system to kill melanoma cells and shrink tumours.)
“Throughout the entire TIL therapy, I felt like a VIP! Every time I had an infusion with the IL-2, there would be a room full of clinical people who wanted to watch the process.”
“I’m so glad I have options now”
“Having the opportunity to go onto a clinical trial has been life-changing for me. Research is everything. You hear stories from other people but it’s not until you’re going through a cancer diagnosis yourself that you understand the importance of research. I believe that going onto this trial is giving me the best chance at life.
“It was an eye-opener coming to The Royal Marsden and learning about the clinical trial. Dr Furness told me that if I’d come to him 15 years ago, immunotherapy wouldn’t have been available - I’d likely be terminal with little options left. I’m so glad I have options now.”
A Candid Conversation about Cancer
Watch Jenny and Research Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Lauren, talk openly about dealing with cancer from both sides - as a patient and healthcare professional.
TIL therapy has given Jenny hope
“I had my first set of scans (six weeks post treatment) which showed my tumour had gone from 6.5cm to 5.5cm. We lost a whole cm in just six weeks!
“The team were gearing me up for my six-week scan and telling me not to panic if the tumour hadn’t shrunk or even if it had grown, it’s still very early days. So, losing a whole centimetre off the tumour - it feels like everything is going in the right direction.
“I’ve now had three sets of scans post treatment, and the tumour has shrunk significantly, it’s now 3.6cm by 1.7cm.
“My husband and children have been an amazing support network. My clinical team, Andrew, Kim, Lauren and Jenny, too - I cannot fault the care I’ve had from them. It blows my mind what the teams at The Royal Marsden do.”
Running for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
A week before her operation, Jenny hit her personal goal of running 10k. Her friends and family took part in the Hyde Park 10K last year, raising over £600 for the Charity as a way of saying thank you. This year, she wants to challenge herself further and run the London Marathon – alongside her research nurse, Lauren.
“When the opportunity came up to apply for a place I thought, why not! It will give me something to focus on and will help to keep me fit and healthy at the same time.
“I feel scared about taking on the marathon – but I’m determined to finish it, even if it takes me three days to get over the finish line. Ellie, from the fundraising team, has been an incredible support since I got my place.
“Knowing that I’ll be fundraising to help support clinical trials like the one I’m currently on – and helping other patients have these opportunities – makes me proud to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. I wish that everyone could have the same experience as me; the same treatment and care.”
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