Blood Cancer Patients in England to Benefit from Groundbreaking Treatment
In a world first, health officials in England have announced that blood cancer patients will have access to a revolutionary treatment that has been hailed as a "Trojan horse" therapy. According to a report by The Times, the targeted therapy, known as belantamab mafadotin, has been approved for use in England by the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) and will be funded by the cancer drug fund.
Multiple myeloma, an incurable form of bone marrow cancer, affects approximately 1,500 people in England each year, who will be eligible to receive this treatment if their cancer has progressed or has not responded to first-line treatment. The treatment, researched and developed in the UK by GlaxoSmithKline, works by being taken into a cancer cell, where it releases a high concentration of a lethal molecule to destroy the cell from the inside.
The treatment has shown promising results, with research suggesting that it can stop myeloma from progressing for nearly three times as long as existing treatments. The Times reports that Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, described the treatment as "life-changing" for patients and their families.
"We’re delighted that patients in England will be the first to benefit from this new treatment," Professor Johnson said. "This treatment could be life-changing for many patients and their families." Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, also welcomed the approval, stating that it demonstrates the commitment to getting the best care to patients fast while ensuring value for the taxpayer.
One patient who has already benefited from this treatment is Paul Silvester, 60, from Sheffield, who was diagnosed with myeloma in July 2023. After his first treatment failed to stop his cancer from progressing, he was given belantamab mafadotin through an early access programme. He reported that within the first two or three weeks after the first dose, he was in remission.
"It has been amazing," Mr. Silvester said. "It gives me quite a lot of confidence in the drugs and it makes me more optimistic about the future. I’ve been feeling well and I’m still quite active – that’s what’s important in terms of your quality of life."
The approval of this treatment has been welcomed by blood cancer charities, including Myeloma UK. Shelagh McKinlay, director of research and advocacy at Myeloma UK, said that it’s fantastic to see the UK at the forefront of myeloma treatment. "We have been working very hard for the last year to get this treatment approved and we know it will transform the lives of thousands of people with myeloma," she said.
Karin Smyth, a health minister, also praised the treatment, saying that it puts the NHS at the forefront of cancer innovation. "By harnessing cutting-edge ‘trojan horse’ technology, we’re offering new hope to blood cancer patients across the country," she said. "We’re determined to back scientific breakthroughs that deliver real results for patients, bringing the latest treatments from the lab to those who need them most."
The introduction of this treatment is a significant step forward in the fight against blood cancer, and it is hoped that it will improve the lives of thousands of patients across the country. As The Times reports, the treatment will be available to patients in England from Friday, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to tackle this devastating disease.
According to The Times, the treatment’s approval is a testament to the UK’s commitment to medical innovation and its position as a leader in the field of cancer research. With this treatment, patients in England will have access to a groundbreaking therapy that has the potential to transform their lives.
As the NHS continues to evolve and improve, it is clear that innovation and advancements in medical technology will play a crucial role in shaping the future of patient care. The introduction of belantamab mafadotin is just one example of the NHS’s commitment to embracing medical innovation to transform patient care and improve outcomes for patients with blood cancer.
The UK’s health ministry has made it clear that they will continue to support and invest in the research and development of new treatments and therapies, ensuring that patients in England have access to the latest and most effective treatments available. This approach will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of patients and their families, and will help to drive progress in the fight against blood cancer.
Source: The Times: Blood cancer patients in England have access to a “Trojan horse” treatment in a world first, health officials have said. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/blood-cancer-patients-drug-6f2l8xq8z
