- The drug is under the policy allows rescue treatments for fast track available
- Nivolumab treatment is administered once every two weeks
- The evidence shows the effect lasts for years after stopping treatment
87
View
Comments
Lung cancer patients, treatment should "game changer" that forms to insulate the body and attack diseased cells are offered.
It is under a government policy that allows saving treatments accelerated provided years through the approval process that usually takes.
Given every two weeks the drug nivolumab by teaching the immune system to attack the cancer cells in the body works.
Patients with lung cancer treatment "game changer" that offered the body to the sick of individual forms and attack cells
The evidence shows the effect lasts for several years after stopping treatment. Immunotherapy expert hailed as a "new era" in the fight against cancer. Early studies have suggested that doubling the survival rate.
Starting today, the doctors will be able, free nivolumab patients with advanced lung cancer for whom surgery is to offer an option. Returns the manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The therapy treatment difference "cover" as chemotherapy and radiation, which kills all cells, including healthy.
This means fewer debilitating side effects such as fatigue, illness, hair loss and infections, which are caused by healthy cells are destroyed.
Some patients with previously diagnosed as terminal skin cancer might work return to work after immunotherapy. You just have to recharge every few months jabs.
Lung cancer is one of the most deadly form of the disease. Only 5 percent of patients are still alive 10 years after diagnosis.
It is also the second most common - in women after breast and prostate cancer in men - with 43,000 new cases per year.
Nivolumab is the third treatment by the system of early access to drugs that the procedures can take up to a decade provided bypasses.
Lung cancer is one of the most deadly form of the disease. Only 5 percent of patients ten years after diagnosis still alive
Manufacturers submit data on new drugs for experts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for evaluation.
If the watchdog are met in the treatment, can be of advantage, without causing damage, it is for the patient.
The costs are covered by the manufacturer until the medication officially authorized in the usual way.
The scheme means that patients actually guinea pig tests for new drugs and possible side effects, but the government hopes to save hundreds of lives.
George Freeman, Minister Life Sciences, said: "The positive scientific opinion nivolumab offers real hope for the most in need ... I hope this is just one of many drugs that are made available.
A study of 272 patients found 42 percent of decision nivolumab life a year later compared to only 24 percent who had chemotherapy. Some of the people on medication still alive two years.
Dr. Tom Newsom-Davis, consultant cancer specialist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, said: "Lung cancer is one of the most difficult to treat ... early access to nivolumab very positive patients ... you have the option of a new drug that in clinical trials has been shown to offer access a significant prolongation of survival. "
Manufacturers say that 10,000 British patients who could benefit from vaccination. Immunotherapy experts last month said it was a "game changer" and the biggest gain since chemotherapy.