England is on the brink of introducing a groundbreaking seven-minute cancer therapy injection, marking a historic milestone in the field of oncology. The innovative injection technique has the potential to shorten treatment duration by as much as 75%. The immunotherapy drug, atezolizumab, also recognised as Tecentriq, was till now delivered intravenously to patients directly through their veins using an IV drip. This procedure often spans from approximately 30 minutes to up to an hour for certain patients, especially in cases where accessing a vein poses challenges. Marius Scholtz from Roche Products Limited stated that the new under-the-skin jab will only about seven minutes, in contrast to the current intravenous infusion method that takes 30 to 60 minutes. The injection will be offered by Britain’s state-run national health service once approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
This remarkable progress could potentially transform cancer treatment by significantly reducing the time required for therapy, all the while enhancing its effectiveness.
Dr Alexander Martin, a consultant oncologist at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust says once approved, the new treatment line would enable healthcare practitioners to “deliver convenient and faster care” to patients and would free up time for teams to treat more cancer patients throughout the day.
Cancer, a complex and devastating disease, has had a profound impact on individuals, families, and societies worldwide. It creates problems in various aspects of life, affecting physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being.
Cancer often leads to a range of physical health challenges, including pain, fatigue, weakness, and nausea. Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries can cause side effects such as hair loss, weight changes, and compromised immune systems. The toll on physical health can significantly impact a person’s ability to carry out daily activities and maintain their quality of life.
Atezolizumab, developed by Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, functions as an immunotherapy drug, empowering the patient’s immune system to locate and eliminate cancerous cells. This treatment is presently provided via transfusion to NHS patients and can treat various types of of cancers, such as those of lung, breast, liver, and bladder.
NHS England expects that most of the approximately 3,600 patients who initiate atezolizumab treatment annually in England will transition to the more time-efficient injection approach. Nevertheless, individuals undergoing intravenous chemotherapy alongside atezolizumab might persist with the current method of infusion-based administration.
