26-04-2025
New cancer treatment available on NHS described as 'early Christmas present'
A cancer treatment described as 'the best early Christmas present I could've asked for', has been given approval.
KIMMTRAK, a treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma, an aggressive form of eye cancer, has been approved by the FDA and NICE.
The NHS has fast-tracked the treatment to hundreds of patients across England.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: "This type of melanoma is difficult to treat when it has spread in the body, so it is great news that the NHS can now offer this pioneering treatment, giving people an option that can extend their lives and offer them valuable extra time with their families and friends."
Bahija Jallal, chief executive officer of Immunocore, said: "Every year, hundreds of people are diagnosed with metastatic uveal melanoma who, until now, had no approved treatment options.
"KIMMTRAK is the first therapy to demonstrate a survival benefit to patients with this disease and we are focused on making KIMMTRAK available as quickly as possible."
Elsewhere, Adaptimmune has received a Breakthrough Therapy Designation for lete-cel, a T-cell therapy used to treat synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
Replimune has also secured FDA priority review and a Biologics License Application acceptance for RP1, a treatment for advanced melanoma.
Sushil Patel, chief executive officer at Replimune, said: "There are limited treatment options and a significant unmet need for patients with advanced melanoma."
