One-minute jab to treat cancer rolled out on NHS
The Telegraph • • health
Key Points:
- The NHS is introducing a one-minute injectable form of pembrolizumab immunotherapy to treat 14 types of cancer, including breast, cervical, lung, and head and neck cancers, significantly reducing treatment time from hours to minutes.
- This new method, replacing intravenous infusions, will allow around 14,000 patients annually in England to receive faster and more convenient care, with injections administered every three or six weeks.
- Health officials expect the rollout to save over 100,000 staff hours per year, free up hospital capacity, and reduce waiting times, while improving patient quality of life by minimizing hospital visits.
- The initiative follows earlier NHS introductions of rapid “superjabs” for 15 other cancer types, making near-instant immunotherapy available for nearly 30 cancers across the system.
- Cancer experts and NHS leaders emphasize the innovation’s dual benefits of enhancing patient experience and increasing healthcare efficiency amid NHS capacity challenges.
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