A NEW ‘1-minute’ immunotherapy jab has been rolled out on the NHS for tens of thousands of patients with cancer.
Pembrolizumab, in a new, injectable form, can cut the time of treatment by up to 90%.
The rapid jab can be used to treat 14 different types of cancers, including lung, breast, head and neck, and cervical.
Approximately 14,000 patients start pembrolizumab therapy annually in England and are now expected to benefit from the more convenient and efficient treatment.
The new injection replaces IV infusion, which can take up to two hours in total per session.
Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, London, UK, said: “This immunotherapy offers a lifeline for thousands of patients and it’s fantastic that this new rapid jab can now take just a minute to deliver – meaning patients can get back to living their lives rather than spending hours in a hospital chair.
“Managing cancer treatment and regular hospital trips can be really exhausting, and not only will this innovation make therapy much quicker and more convenient for patients, it will also help free up vital appointments for NHS teams to treat more people and continue to bring down waiting times.”
Administering pembrolizumab
Pembrolizumab jabs will be given every three weeks as a one-minute injection, or every six weeks as a two-minute injection, depending on cancer type.
The drug works by blocking the protein PD-1, enhancing the immune system’s ability to recognise and attack cancer cells.
Patients receiving pembrolizumab alongside other IV treatments may continue with an infusion where clinically appropriate.
James Richardson, National Specialty Advisor for Cancer Drugs, NHS England, London, UK, said: “This is a win-win innovation because patients will spend far less time in hospital and crucially our clinical teams will have more capacity to care for others.
“The time saved through this change is a huge gain for the NHS and demonstrates how we are continuing to modernise cancer care for the benefit of patients”.
Featured image: PhotobyTawat on Adobe Stock
