Patients with advanced cervical cancer are to get a new immunotherapy treatment in England, it was announced today.
The treatment is expected to benefit 400 patients over three years, NHS England said.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) today approved the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab via the NHS England Cancer Drugs Fund.
Pembrolizumab is a type of monoclonal antibody which targets and blocks the PD-L1 protein on the surface of T-cells. By blocking PD-1, the T-cells are encouraged to find and destroy cancer cells.
It also inhibits the action of the vascular endothelial growth factor protein that creates new blood vessels to feed cancer cells.
Findings from clinical trials suggest that pembrolizumab reduces disease progression and increases lifespan, but, so far, the extent of the apparent benefit is unclear.
Hence the drug is being recommended while clinical trials are still ongoing. Any of the 400 or so patients who are eligible and receive the drug will become participants in this work.
Once enough evidence is gathered, NICE will re-evaluate whether pembrolizumab is clinically and cost effective for wider use in the NHS.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: “People with advanced cervical cancer have limited treatment options beyond standard care and an effective treatment would be welcomed.
“Pembrolizumab shows promise as the first effective immunotherapy. However, to ensure the best use of limited public funding, we need additional evidence to fully analyse its clinical and cost effectiveness before it can be considered for routine NHS use.
“Recommending pembrolizumab to the Cancer Drugs Fund means people have faster access to care while this further evidence is gathered.”
NHS England Director of Specialised Commissioning and interim Commercial Medicines Director, John Stewart, said: “After nearly 15 years without a new treatment for this type of advanced cervical cancer, this first immunotherapy marks a significant step forward that will provide hundreds of people with precious time with their loved ones.”
Samantha Dixon, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “Today’s announcement that pembrolizumab will be available in England through the Cancer Drugs Fund is fantastic news. Treatments are far too limited for those living with advanced cervical cancer and this provides patients with valuable options, hope and most importantly time.”
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