Phase II trials of a new phase II cancer drug have been expanded, with plans to conduct further tests at other centres also in the pipeline.

Provectus Pharmaceuticals said that a study of its injectable medicine PV-10 – or Provecta – has launched in Brisbane, Australia, following previously initiated trials in Sydney.

The firm revealed it plans to begin further tests in other major Australian cities and in the US.

Some 80 patients will participate in the trials, which are designed to examine the efficacy of PV-10 when injected into the tumours of patients battling Stage III and IV metastatic melanoma.

Patients involved in the trial will be observed for a year, with the firm saying it wanted to allow time to gather data "for assessment of objective response rate, progression free survival, quality of life and safety".

Usually affecting adults, the US National Cancer Institute says that melanoma is a more aggressive type of skin cancer than other forms of the condition, such as basal or squamous cell skin cancers.

Masters' named patient supply programme can source and distribute drugs still undergoing clinical trials on behalf of healthcare providers who have patients who have a special need for a medication.