AN OXFORD firm developing cancer treatments has opened an office in San Diego.

The firm is carrying out extensive clinical trials on its ImmunoBody vaccine, which uses the body’s immune system to identify, attack and destroy tumours.

It works by improving uptake of cancer antigens which boost the body’s immune system, particularly T cells, which help to destroy tumours.

Vaccines can be designed to target particular cancers in a specific way.

Scancell is also developing a vaccine, Moditope, for breast and ovarian cancer patients and it is also planning a clinical study on its lung cancer vaccine, SCIB2.

Its SCIB therapy is aimed at those with skin cancer.

As well as its Oxford headquarters, the company has a research base in Nottingham.

Opening offices in the US is part of a long-term plan to expand activities on the other side of the Atlantic, the firm said in its half year results statement published on Tuesday.

Scancell, founded in 1997, is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

In results for the six months ended October 31, 2016, Oxford Science Park-based Scancell Holdings reported a loss of £1.72m, compared to a loss of £1.17m the previous year.

Group cash balance was £4.5m, versus £6.5m on April 30, 2016.

Chief executive Dr Richard Goodfellow said: “We are proud of our achievements over the last few years. Scancell now has established two cancer vaccine platforms, from which we have developed three products for use in five cancer indications.

“2017 is set to be an important and busy year for Scancell.”