NHS first in the world to roll out ‘trogan horse' cancer treatment that ‘drastically slows disease'
A "TROJAN HORSE" therapy that sneaks toxic drugs inside and kills cancer cells is being rolled out on the NHS in England in a world first.
It can stop the blood cancer myeloma from progressing for nearly three times longer than current therapies.
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Paul Silvester having his treatment at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.
Credit: PA
The treatment, known as belantamab mafodotin or Blenrep, is an advanced form of chemotherapy.
It delivers a powerful dose of cancer-killing medication directly into cancer cells, while limiting damage to healthy cells, reducing the risk of harsh side effects.
Around 1,500 people a year with multiple myeloma, a rare, incurable cancer of the bone marrow, are expected to benefit from the treatment.
Paul Silvester, 60, from Sheffield, is one of the first patients to receive the new drug through an early access programme.
Diagnosed with myeloma in July 2023, Paul was initially given a different treatment, but when it failed to stop his cancer from progressing, doctors turned to belantamab mafodotin.
'I feel like this treatment has brought the party balloons back in the house,' he said.
'It has been amazing - within the first two or three weeks, after the first dose, I was in remission.
"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.
"One of my daughters is graduating from university in October and it's a goal for me to be there."
British rock legend reveals he's fighting aggressive blood cancer and is undergoing treatment
The therapy, developed by GlaxoSmithKline, is administered via infusion every three weeks alongside two other drugs: bortezomib and dexamethasone.
Clinical trials showed it could delay the progression of myeloma for around three years, compared to just over a year for patients receiving commonly used drug daratumumab with the same combination.
Following new guidance from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), the drug has now been approved for widespread NHS use in England.
It's the first health system in the world to offer it routinely.
Patients who have relapsed or not responded to earlier treatments will now be eligible for the therapy.
The treatment has been nicknamed a 'Trojan horse' because of how it works.
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Much like the famous story from ancient Greek mythology where soldiers hid inside a giant wooden horse to secretly enter the city of Troy, this drug hides a toxic payload inside an antibody that tricks cancer cells into letting it in.
Once inside, it releases a powerful, cell-killing molecule that destroys the cancer from within, while sparing surrounding healthy cells.
'New hope'
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said: 'Myeloma is an aggressive type of blood cancer, but we have seen a steady improvement in the outlook for patients over recent years as we have introduced new targeted therapies.
'I am delighted that patients in England will be the first to benefit from this new treatment, which has the potential to keep cancer at bay for years longer, giving people the chance of more precious time with friends and family.
'This treatment could be life-changing for many patients and their families, and that's why it is so important that the NHS continues to secure quick access to the latest, innovative treatments like this, at affordable prices to the taxpayer.'
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, added: 'We're delighted that people in the UK will become among the first in the world to access belantamab mafodotin for this indication.
"This recommendation demonstrates our commitment to getting the best care to patients fast, while ensuring value for the taxpayer."
Myeloma UK, a charity supporting those with blood cancer, has also welcomed the news.
Shelagh McKinlay, its director of research and advocacy, said: '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.'
Health Minister Karin Smyth added: 'This groundbreaking therapy 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."
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