NHS fast tracks new ‘gamechanging’ drug for lung cancer

NHS England has brokered a new deal for a targeted drug for a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer which will be fast-tracked to eligible patients within weeks.

The treatment, which patients in England will be the first to receive in Europe, will be available to around 100 eligible patients a year with the rare form of cancer that cannot be removed by surgery, which mainly affects younger people and non-smokers.

Mobocertinib is the only precision drug available to patients with a mutation-driven, advanced form of lung cancer, who have already received chemotherapy. It is taken as a tablet and specifically targets the mutation to slow the growth of cancer cells, with manageable side effects.

Trials show that some patients who have taken mobocertinib have lived for two years after being treated with the breakthrough drug – significantly longer than expected for patients with this type of lung cancer.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “It is fantastic news that patients in England with this extremely rare and aggressive form of lung cancer will be the first in Europe to receive this gamechanging treatment thanks to another deal struck by the NHS.

“From life-changing drugs for blood cancer to new treatments for lung cancer, this is the latest in a long list of deals we have struck to provide the latest cutting-edge cancer treatments for patients – at a price that is affordable for the taxpayer. The NHS has continued to prioritise cancer care throughout the pandemic and I urge anyone with concerns, to come forward and get checked.”