More than a thousand patients living with bladder cancer every year can now receive a breakthrough treatment that can double survival rates from the disease.
The treatment which has been approved for use on the NHS from today has been hailed as ‘one of the most hopeful advances in decades for people with bladder cancer.’
Around 1,250 patients with bladder cancer in England a year could be offered the therapy, which significantly boosts survival and remission rates.
In clinical trials of the drug, people with bladder cancer that had spread (metastasised) lived up to twice as long when given the combination antibody treatment compared to those given normal chemotherapy.
The combination treatment works by using a powerful two-pronged attack, with enfortumab vedotin directly targeting the cancer cells and killing them, while pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, helps the immune system recognise and fight the remaining cancer cells.
It is given via an IV infusion to people whose bladder cancer has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be surgically removed.
Bladder cancer is difficult to treat with standard chemotherapy, with life expectancy for people with metastatic bladder cancer at just over a year.
The new approach increased survival from around 1.5 years with chemotherapy to more than 2.5 years.
The length of time the treatment kept the cancer at bay also more than doubled – from just over 6 months to 1.5 years.
Additionally, nearly 30% of patients had no detectable traces of cancer in their body following treatment with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, compared to 12.5% with chemotherapy.
Patients also experienced fewer harmful side effects with the combination treatment, thanks to its selective targeting of the cancer.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: “This is one of the most hopeful advances in decades for people with bladder cancer who will now be offered a treatment that can almost double their chances of survival, helping thousands to live longer and giving them more precious moments with their loved ones.
“Bladder cancer is often difficult to treat once it has spread, but this new therapy is the first one in years to really help stop the disease in its tracks, and our rollout to NHS patients will make a huge difference to the lives of those affected and their families”.
More than 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year in the UK.
Bladder cancer can be difficult to treat as it can be asymptomatic, especially in its early stages – and once it spreads beyond the bladder, it can be aggressive and more resistant to chemotherapy.
The treatment has been made available thanks to commercial deals struck by NHS England with manufacturers Astellas Pharma and MSD UK, which enabled the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to deem it cost-effective.
The rollout is the latest in a series of NHS innovations in cancer care, following the adoption of belantamab mafodotin for blood cancer, the fast-tracking of pembrolizumab for advanced womb cancer, and the launch of mRNA vaccine trials for head and neck cancers.
It shows the NHS continuing to raise the bar in cancer care by embracing the latest innovation and offering the hope of longer and healthier lives.
Minister for Health, Stephen Kinnock said: “For people with cancer, every moment matters.
“This breakthrough treatment will give people precious extra time with their families. This is exactly what modern healthcare looks like – saving lives by providing access to the best support available.
“Through our Plan for Change, we’re turning the tide after years of cancer services being run into the ground and delivering the world class treatments people to deserve, that will create an NHS fit for the future”.
Jeannie Rigby, CEO of Action Bladder Cancer UK, said: “ABC UK, bladder cancer patients and their families welcome this effective, and much-needed, alternative treatment. This new treatment can increase how long people have before their cancer gets worse and how long they live compared with current treatments available – while also providing a better quality of life with less adverse side effects”.
