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Rachel V Thomas

Ovarian Cancer: UK NHS Rolls Out First Major Drug In Over 20 Years

The UK National Health Service (<span>NHS</span>) has approved the free rollout of a breakthrough <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/ovarian-cancer">ovarian cancer</a></span> drug, benefiting hundreds of women with hard-to-treat cancer starting today.

Importantly, the US FDA-approved drug is the first new addition to NHS treatment for this group of patients in over 20 years.

The last major NHS treatment introduced for these patients was the rollout of liposomal doxorubicin and paclitaxel in the early 2000s.

The NHS, in a statement, said that the new targeted therapy, <span>mirvetuximab soravtansine</span>, will be offered to patients living with ovarian cancer whose disease has stopped responding to standard (platinum-based) chemotherapy, providing new hope of extra time to live.

Mirvetuximab soravtansine (<span>Elahere</span>) has been developed by <span>AbbVie</span>. The NHS estimates up to 400 patients in England each year could benefit.

“This represents the most significant breakthrough in NHS treatment for these hard-to-treat ovarian cancers in over two decades – and we’re delighted it will now offer hundreds of women much-needed hope of precious extra time with their loved ones,” said Professor Ruth Plummer, NHS national clinical lead for cancer drugs.

According to the NHS, the drug combines a ‘homing’ antibody with a cancer-killing medicine, often described by scientists as a ‘biological missile’ or ‘Trojan horse’ therapy.

It works by attaching to ovarian cancer cells that have a protein called folate receptor alpha (FRα) on their surface, before releasing a cancer-killing molecule that destroys the cell from within.

In a major global clinical trial involving eight NHS hospitals, the treatment delayed cancer progression and prolonged survival, with patients living 16.5 months on average compared to 12.8 months with chemotherapy.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/new-pancreatic-cancer-drug-daxaronrasib-may-benefit-patients-with-lung-and-ovarian-tumors-too-article-154439036" data-type="tilCustomLink">New Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daxaronrasib May Benefit Patients With Lung And Ovarian Tumors Too</a>

<h2>Who Can Avail The Drug Through The NHS?</h2>

Following a recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the treatment will be available for:

<ul><li>patients with epithelial ovarian cancer,</li><li>peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer that has become resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy</li><li>whose tumors contain the FRα protein targeted by the drug.</li></ul>

The treatment is given intravenously (via a drip) over two to four hours, once every three weeks.

The NHS stated that the drug may also have more tolerable side effects than traditional chemotherapy, as it is aimed more precisely at cancer cells than chemotherapy, which can also harm healthy cells.

<ul><li>Eye problems such as blurred vision or dry eyes</li><li>Tiredness</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Low blood counts</li></ul>

Most side effects are manageable with monitoring and supportive care.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/alan-brazil-shares-survival-story-after-heart-stopped-during-liver-transplant-article-154463946" data-type="tilCustomLink">Alan Brazil Shares Survival Story After Heart Stopped During Liver Transplant</a>

<h2>Ovarian Cancer Remains A Major Health Challenge</h2>

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death from gynecological cancer worldwide. In the UK, there are around 7,500 new diagnoses each year.

Standard treatment for ovarian cancer typically involves surgery and chemotherapy, but around 80 per cent of patients with advanced disease relapse, and most eventually develop resistance to chemotherapy.

More than a third of patients (37 per cent) treated with mirvetuximab soravtansine also saw their tumors shrink by at least 30 per cent, compared to 16 per cent of patients receiving chemotherapy in clinical trials.

Health Conditions A-Z

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ovarian-cancer-uk-nhs-rolls-out-first-major-drug-in-over-20-years

Ovarian Cancer

UK NHS

Mirvetuximab soravtansine

abbvie

Elahere

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The UK National Health Service (NHS) has approved the free rollout of a breakthrough ovarian cancer drug, benefiting hundreds of women with hard-to-treat cancer starting today.Importantly, the US FDA-approved drug is the first new addition to NHS treatment for this group of patients in over 20 years.The last major NHS treatment introduced for these patients was the rollout of liposomal doxorubicin and paclitaxel in the early 2000s.The NHS, in a statement, said that the new targeted therapy, mirvetuximab soravtansine, will be offered to patients living with ovarian cancer whose disease has stopped responding to standard (platinum-based) chemotherapy, providing new hope of extra time to live.Mirvetuximab soravtansine (Elahere) has been developed by AbbVie. The NHS estimates up to 400 patients in England each year could benefit.“This represents the most significant breakthrough in NHS treatment for these hard-to-treat ovarian cancers in over two decades – and we’re delighted it will now offer hundreds of women much-needed hope of precious extra time with their loved ones,” said Professor Ruth Plummer, NHS national clinical lead for cancer drugs. How Does The Drug Work?According to the NHS, the drug combines a ‘homing’ antibody with a cancer-killing medicine, often described by scientists as a ‘biological missile’ or ‘Trojan horse’ therapy.It works by attaching to ovarian cancer cells that have a protein called folate receptor alpha (FRα) on their surface, before releasing a cancer-killing molecule that destroys the cell from within.In a major global clinical trial involving eight NHS hospitals, the treatment delayed cancer progression and prolonged survival, with patients living 16.5 months on average compared to 12.8 months with chemotherapy.Also read: New Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daxaronrasib May Benefit Patients With Lung And Ovarian Tumors TooWho Can Avail The Drug Through The NHS?Following a recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the treatment will be available for:patients with epithelial ovarian cancer,peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer that has become resistant to platinum-based chemotherapywhose tumors contain the FRα protein targeted by the drug.The treatment is given intravenously (via a drip) over two to four hours, once every three weeks.Are There Any Side Effects? The NHS stated that the drug may also have more tolerable side effects than traditional chemotherapy, as it is aimed more precisely at cancer cells than chemotherapy, which can also harm healthy cells.Common side effects include:Eye problems such as blurred vision or dry eyesTirednessNauseaLow blood countsMost side effects are manageable with monitoring and supportive care.Read More: Alan Brazil Shares Survival Story After Heart Stopped During Liver TransplantOvarian Cancer Remains A Major Health ChallengeOvarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death from gynecological cancer worldwide. In the UK, there are around 7,500 new diagnoses each year.Standard treatment for ovarian cancer typically involves surgery and chemotherapy, but around 80 per cent of patients with advanced disease relapse, and most eventually develop resistance to chemotherapy.More than a third of patients (37 per cent) treated with mirvetuximab soravtansine also saw their tumors shrink by at least 30 per cent, compared to 16 per cent of patients receiving chemotherapy in clinical trials.

ovarian cancer: uk nhs rolls out first major drug in over 20 years

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