In a significant development for blood cancer patients in England, the NHS has announced the approval of zanubrutinib, a revolutionary ‘take-at-home’ tablet for treating marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). This milestone marks the first time an oral medication has been given the green light for blood cancer treatment, offering hope to patients who have not responded well to previous therapies.
Zanubrutinib, recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for NHS use from 1 August, has shown remarkable efficacy in clinical trials. Up to 80 per cent of patients with MZL experienced a positive response to the drug, according to NHS England. Over the next three years, approximately 470 patients are expected to benefit from this groundbreaking treatment.
The introduction of zanubrutinib brings a new level of convenience and comfort to patients, as the tablets can be taken twice daily at home. This home-based treatment option could potentially spare patients from the adverse side effects associated with intravenous chemotherapy, allowing them to maintain a more normal lifestyle while undergoing treatment.
Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, hailed zanubrutinib as a “great step forward” for patients whose disease has progressed despite other treatments. He emphasised that this drug exemplifies the NHS’s ongoing efforts to enhance the lives of those affected by cancer, providing them with an additional treatment option that can be administered in the comfort of their own homes.
Marginal zone lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that manifests as small, painless lumps in the lymph nodes, is diagnosed in approximately 2,600 people annually in the UK. Often detected at an advanced stage, MZL can be challenging to treat effectively. Zanubrutinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), works by blocking specific proteins that stimulate cancer cell growth and division, ultimately causing the cells to die and potentially slowing or halting the cancer’s progression.
Frank Burrows, a 66-year-old patient from North Somerset who was diagnosed with MZL six years ago, described zanubrutinib as a “game-changer” for those facing this type of cancer. He expressed his delight at the drug’s availability on the NHS, emphasising the importance of having a new treatment option for patients like himself who have exhausted other therapies, such as chemotherapy, which can take a toll on the immune system and leave patients vulnerable to various illnesses.
The approval of zanubrutinib by the NHS represents a significant milestone in the treatment of marginal zone lymphoma, offering renewed hope to patients who have limited options. As the first oral medication approved for blood cancer treatment, zanubrutinib has the potential to transform the lives of hundreds of patients in England, providing them with a more convenient and less invasive treatment option that can be administered in the comfort of their own homes.
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