Many cancer patients in England can now receive a faster and easier treatment thanks to a new injection offered by the NHS. This change is set to make cancer care more comfortable and quicker for thousands of people every year.
What’s New in Cancer Treatment?
NHS England has become the first healthcare system in Europe to introduce an injection version of a cancer drug called nivolumab, also known as Opdivo. This drug is an immunotherapy treatment, which helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer cells.
Before this change, patients had to receive nivolumab through a drip (intravenous infusion), which usually took about an hour. Now, with the new method, it only takes 3 to 5 minutes to get the injection.
Which Cancers Can Be Treated?
This quick injection is approved for treating 15 types of cancer, including:
- Lung cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Oesophageal (food pipe) cancer
- Skin cancer
- Head and neck cancer
This makes it easier for patients who need treatment either every two weeks or once a month.
How Does Nivolumab Work?
Nivolumab helps the immune system by blocking cancer’s defence signals. Usually, cancer cells send out signals that stop the immune system from attacking them. Nivolumab blocks these signals by targeting a protein called PD-1 on immune cells known as T-cells. This lets the immune system recognise and destroy cancer cells more effectively.
Time and Cost Benefits for Patients and Hospitals
According to NHS England, this new method could benefit up to 15,000 cancer patients a year. It also saves over a year’s worth of treatment time when added up across all patients.
Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS’s national clinical director for cancer, said that this change will help hospitals treat more people and save time, while also making the treatment more comfortable for patients.
No Extra Cost to the NHS
This new injection will not cost more than the older drip method. NHS England and the drug company Bristol Myers Squibb have agreed on a price that keeps costs the same.
This means patients get a better experience, and the NHS can offer modern care without spending extra money.
Experts Say This is a Big Step
Naser Turabi from Cancer Research UK said that such new ideas are key to improving how cancer is treated. He added that the upcoming national cancer plan in England should focus on more investment and better care to keep bringing new technologies to patients faster.
The introduction of a quick injection for nivolumab is a big improvement in cancer treatment. It not only saves time for patients and hospitals but also makes treatment easier and more comfortable. By embracing such innovations, the NHS is showing how health systems can adapt to modern needs. With more research and support, patients in England—and possibly around the world—could see faster and better cancer care in the future.
FAQ
What is nivolumab and what does it treat?
Nivolumab, also known as Opdivo, is an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system detect and destroy cancer cells. It is used to treat 15 different types of cancer, including lung, bowel, kidney, bladder, oesophageal, skin, and head and neck cancer.
How is the new nivolumab injection better than the old method?
The new injection method only takes 3 to 5 minutes, compared to the older intravenous drip which could take up to an hour. It is quicker, more convenient for patients, and helps hospitals treat more people efficiently.
Does the new injection cost more for the NHS?
No, the new injection will not cost more than the old drip method. NHS England and the manufacturer Bristol Myers Squibb have agreed on a price that keeps it the same.
How does nivolumab help the immune system fight cancer?
Nivolumab blocks a protein called PD-1 on T-cells, preventing cancer cells from turning off the immune response. This allows the immune system to better find and destroy cancer cells.
How many patients are expected to benefit from this new injection method?
NHS England estimates that up to 15,000 cancer patients a year could benefit from this faster and easier treatment method.