BLOOD CANCER UK RESEARCH

The Government announced £100 million to establish 20 Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) across the UK, aiming to bring clinical trials closer to patients and improve access to innovative treatments. Dr. Rubina Ahmed of Blood Cancer UK welcomes the investment, emphasizing the need to streamline regulatory processes and increase trial accessibility, especially for those living outside major cities.

Two new blood cancer drugs, axi-cel (Yescarta) and quizartinib (Vanflyta), have been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for use on the NHS in Scotland, offering hope to sufferers of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The approval of these drugs, particularly axi-cel, which is a CAR-T therapy, provides a potential new road to recovery for patients whose cancer has relapsed or not responded to initial treatments.

SMC approves Kite’s CAR T-cell therapy, Yescarta, for treating DLBCL and HGBL in Scotland, marking the first acceptance of a CAR T-cell therapy for second-line treatment. This decision is based on clinical trials showing improved survival rates and progression-free survival.

Teclistamab (Tecvayli), a Johnson & Johnson drug, is now recommended by NICE for fourth-line use on the NHS in England and Wales for myeloma patients who have exhausted other treatments. This decision follows similar approval in Scotland and aims to provide relief to those with triple-class refractory myeloma.

Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm, diagnosed with aggressive Richter’s syndrome, saw his cancer disappear after participating in a clinical trial combining acalabrutinib with chemotherapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Now in complete remission, he plans to undergo a donor stem cell transplant for a chance at a cure.

Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm, is in remission from aggressive cancer after participating in an NHS drug trial. Diagnosed with Richter's syndrome, he was given a couple of months to live but responded well to a combination of acalabrutinib and chemotherapy. Peters now seeks a stem cell transplant to prevent recurrence.

Mike Peters, frontman of the Alarm, is in remission from aggressive cancer thanks to an NHS drug trial combining acalabrutinib with standard chemo at the Christie hospital in Manchester. Peters, first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) 29 years ago, faced a rapid transformation to Richter's syndrome in April 2023, necessitating immediate treatment. The experimental therapy has been successful, placing him in remission, and he now seeks a stem cell transplant to prevent recurrence.

NHS England introduces quizartinib, a life-extending daily tablet for acute myeloid leukaemia patients with FLT3-ITD mutation, enhancing remission and long-term survival chances.