New advanced bladder cancer treatment can ‘double chances of survival’
New NHS treatment to bring ‘fundamental shift’ for people with bladder cancer
- A new combination treatment for advanced bladder cancer has been approved for use on the NHS in England.
- The treatment, combining enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, marks a fundamental shift in care, as options for this condition had not significantly changed since the 1980s.
- Clinical trials showed that the new therapy more than doubled patients' average survival time to 33.8 months, compared to 15.9 months with traditional chemotherapy.
- It is estimated that approximately 1,250 people annually could benefit from this innovative treatment, which also demonstrated a higher rate of complete cancer response.
- Experts and patient advocates have welcomed the approval, highlighting its potential to significantly improve the length and quality of life for those with advanced bladder cancer.