NICE has approved the first immunotherapy combination for endometrial cancer in England.
The treatment combines pembrolizumab, made by MSD, with chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel. Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy that helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells, while chemotherapy damages cancer cells to prevent them from growing and dividing.
The approval marks the first time immunotherapy has been combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for all patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The treatment will be available immediately through the Cancer Drugs Fund.
Dr Eleanor Jones, Chair of Trustees at Peaches Womb Cancer Trust, said:
“This decision is very welcome news for patients living in England, following approval in Scotland. This additional treatment for primary advanced or recurrent mismatch repair proficient and deficient endometrial cancer will provide much needed options for patients currently facing the reality of limited cancer treatments.”
“Peaches Womb Cancer Trust has welcomed the opportunity to contribute to appraisals of pembrolizumab in both Scotland and England. We could not have done so without the contributions of Peaches Patient Voices, a group of people affected by womb cancer whose powerful testimonies and experiences informed our submissions.”
