Living Cancer Drug Offered to Patient for First Time

In the UK, a breakthrough “living drug” has been given to an NHS patient with aggressive leukaemia, opening access to a powerful personalised therapy that can deliver long-term remission and potential cures.

“This is revolutionising the way we tackle this cancer and allows us to offer patients years, and potentially a cure,” said Dr Eleni Tholouli, consultant haematologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

The treatment, known as CAR-T therapy, reprogrammes a patient’s own immune cells to recognise and destroy cancer and is now funded by NHS England for adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. In clinical trials, 77% of patients entered remission, with half remaining cancer-free after 3.5 years, and survival was extended by an average of 15.6 months. Around 50 NHS patients a year are expected to benefit, marking a major advance in personalised cancer care developed and delivered within the UK.