In a latest revolutionary achievement for cancer treatment, the UK, England has become the first European country to offer cancer patients an injectable form of the immunotherapy drug Nivolumab, known commercially as Opdivo.

This injection, which treats up to 15 different types of cancer that include lung, bowel, and skin, takes just three to five minutes to administer compared to the traditional one-hour-long intravenous drip. This treatment option is expected to benefit nearly 15,000 patients a year. This treatment system significantly eases hospital workloads, saving more than a year’s worth of treatment time annually.

The move marks a major step forward in the NHS’s drive to modernise cancer treatment. Approved by the MHRA, the injectable form works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells, offering a more convenient and equally effective alternative for thousands of patients. Experts say this innovation underscores the promise of a “golden age” in cancer research, with pressure now on the government to continue reform and investment through its upcoming national cancer plan.

With patients needing treatment fortnightly or monthly, NHS England said the move would save more than a year’s worth of treatment time each year.

NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, Prof Peter Johnson, said the time savings would “allow teams to treat even more patients” and free up hospital capacity.

He added, “Immunotherapy has already been a huge step forward for many NHS patients with cancer, and being able to offer it as an injection in minutes means we can make the process far more convenient”.

Nivolumab helps our immune system by fighting against cancer cells by blocking signals from tumour cells and stopping the immune system from attacking them. It binds to a protein which is called PD-1 (programmed death-1) on T-cells, a type of immune cell. This blocks cancer cells from switching off T-cells, allowing the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells.

Listen to the article here-

National Health Service, NHS England, said that about 1,200 patients a month could benefit from moving to the vaccine, and most of them new patients to receive it. Up to 15,000 could be given Nivolumab in injectable form to treat 15 cancers.

Innovations like this will be essential for treating cancer patients quickly and efficiently. This is now a golden age of cancer treatment, and our health service must continue to adapt to deliver the best possible care for our patients.

1. 

   Any way Musk is real hero

2. 

   Yes, took advantage of Government

3. 

   Elon is master of everything

4. 

   This always be mysterious. Nice article

5. 

   Fantastic news